Sr. Mary Ann Ferguson, OP, formerly known as Sr. Mary LaVerne, died Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 79 years of age and in the 60th year of her religious profession, 17 years as a member of the Felician Sisters of Livonia, and in her 43rd year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Mary Ann was born in Hamtramck, Michigan, to Edmund and Lydia (Wyborny) Ferguson. She graduated from Ladywood High School in Livonia and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from Madonna College in Livonia.

Sister Mary Ann ministered as an elementary school teacher and principal for 20 years in Livonia, Manistee, Redford, Mt. Clemens, Detroit, Dearborn Heights, Southgate, and Dearborn, Michigan. She was a Public Relations Director at Aquinas High School in Southgate, Michigan, for four years and was Director of Pastoral Care in Lansing, Michigan, and Buffalo, New York, for 6½ years. She served in support service positions for two years in various businesses in the Okemos/Lansing area, and was Aftercare Coordinator at Tiffany Funeral Home in Lansing, Michigan, for 5½ years. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2014.

Sister Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Timothy and Ronald. She is survived by brothers Edmund Ferguson (Janice) of Gladwin and Kenneth Ferguson (Shirley) of Gladwin and sisters Gwen Moore (Andy) of Lansing and Jackie Reaume (Leonard) of Gladwin, all in Michigan.

Welcome of Sister Mary Ann will be on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in the Dominican Life Center Lobby; the Wake will follow from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. in the Rose Room of the Dominican Life Center. The Reception of the Body and Vigil Prayer will be at 7:00 p.m. in St. Catherine Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. The Rite of Committal will be in the Congregation cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister ministered in Michigan for more than 36 years:

• St. Michael School, Livonia (1962-1963): Elementary Teacher
• St. Joseph School, Manistee (1963-1965): Elementary Teacher
• St. Thecla School, Mount Clemens (1965-1968): Elementary Teacher
• St. Hyacinth School, Detroit (1968-1970): Elementary Teacher
• St. Valentine School, Redford (1970-1971): Elementary Teacher
• St. Mel School, Dearborn Heights (1971-1974): Elementary Principal
• St. Thecla School, Mount Clemens (1974-1975): Elementary Teacher
• St. Pius X, Southgate (1975-1977): Elementary Teacher
• Wyandotte Catholic School, Wyandotte (1977-1978): Principal
• Aquinas High School, Southgate (1978-1982): Public Relations
• Sacred Heart School, Dearborn (1982-1982): Elementary Teacher
• J.C. Penney, Dearborn (1982-1983): Clerk
• St. Lawrence Hospital, Lansing (1984-1990): Director-Pastoral Care
• Ed’s Buick Motor Division, Lansing (1991-1993): Business Service Position
• Tiffany Funeral Home, Lansing (1994-2000): Aftercare Coordinator
• Westbay Club Apartments, Lansing (2000): Leasing Agent