Sr. Mary J. Beaubien, OP, formerly known as Sister Clare Olivia, died on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 95 years of age and in the 78th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Mary was born in Adrian to Oliver and Clara (Sierin) Beaubien. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a Master of Science degree in nutrition from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in child development and family relations from Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Sister ministered in all levels of education for 46 years in Elmwood Park and St. Charles, Illinois; Greenville, Detroit, and Adrian, Michigan; Miami Shores and Haines City, Florida; and Youngstown, Ohio. This includes five years at St. Dominic College in St. Charles and over 6 years at Barry College (University) in Miami Shores, both institutions of the Adrian Dominican Congregation; and 16 years as a professor at Youngstown State University in Youngstown. Sister also spent four years in Mogwase and Kroonstad, South Africa, in community development and teacher training. She ministered one year as a funeral assistant for St. Mary Parish in Adrian and 11 years as director of the Siena Heights University Archives.
Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Robert and Joseph Beaubien; and a sister, Cecelia Emerson. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Simonis of Defiance, Ohio, other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
A Funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel on Thursday, Nov. 2, 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 over 27 years and was also involved in many volunteer ministries:
- St. Charles, Greenville (1948-55): Elementary Teacher
- Visitation High School, Detroit (1955-63): High School Teacher
- St. Mary Church, Adrian (2001-02): Funeral Minister
- Siena Heights University Archives, Adrian (2006): Library Assistant
- Siena Heights University Archives, Adrian (2006-17): Director
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.
Copy Permalink
