Sr. Marie Geraldine Brownell, OP, baptized Barbara Jane Brownell, died on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 93 years of age and in the 74th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Marie Geraldine was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Peter and Geraldine M. (Schlaff) Brownell. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, a Master of Arts degree in English from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, and a Master of Arts degree in religious studies from Barry College (University) in Miami Shores, Florida.
Sister spent over 55 years ministering in education in Detroit, Harper Woods and Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan; West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and Chicago, Illinois. She taught for over three years at institutions of the Congregation: Dominican High School in Detroit and Rosarian Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. She also taught for 18 years in the Detroit Public Schools in adult outreach and as a substitute teacher. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2005.
Sister Marie Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Peter and Robert. She is survived by a brother, Phillip of Sebastopol, California, loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
A Funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 30, 2023. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan 42 years:
- Dominican High School, Detroit (1960-62): High School Teacher
- Bishop Borgess High School, Detroit (1973-74): High School Teacher
- Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Grosse Pointe Woods (1974-81): High School Teacher
- Bishop Gallagher High School, Harper Woods (1981-87): High School Teacher
- Adult Outreach-Detroit Public School, Detroit (1987-96): GED Teacher
- Substitute Teacher, Eastpointe (1996-2005): Substitute Teacher
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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