Sr. Mary Louise Gass, OP, formerly known as Sister Barbara Francis, died on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 92 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Wyandotte, Michigan, to Gerald and Cecilia (Sack) Gass. She graduated from St. Patrick High School in Wyandotte and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics from the University of Detroit (Detroit-Mercy) in Detroit, Michigan.
Sister ministered 40 years in education in Farmington, Adrian, Detroit, Dearborn and Southgate, Michigan, including four years at Dominican High School in Detroit, a sponsored institution of the Congregation, and six years as assistant principal and later academic dean at Aquinas High School in Southgate. She served two years with LEAHC (Lenawee Emergency and Affordable Housing Corp.) and 15 years as a driver for the Congregation. Sister became a member of the Dominican Life Center in 2015.
Sister Mary Louise was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Gerald Gass, Jr.; and her sisters, Dolores Rogers and Sister Barbara Gass, also an Adrian Dominican. She is survived by loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Covid vaccinated persons may attend the Vigil and Funeral in person. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s services via livestream.
Rite of Committal (burial) for Sister Mary Louise was held on Thursday, November 10, 2022, in the Congregation Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, in St. Catherine Chapel. The Rite of Remembrance will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 15, 2022, in the Rose Room of the Dominican Life Center. 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 over 60 years:
- Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington (1951-55): Elementary Teacher
- Our Lady of Sorrows High School, Farmington (1955-61): High School Teacher
- Adrian Catholic Central, Adrian (1961-68): High School Teacher
- St. Gabriel High School, Detroit (1968-70): High School Teacher
- Holy Redeemer, Detroit (1970-75): High School Teacher
- St. Alphonsus High School, Dearborn (1975-80): High School Teacher
- Dominican High School, Detroit (1980-84): High School Teacher
- Support Services, Adrian (1985-86): Congregation Driver
- Aquinas High School, Southgate (1986-89): Assist. High School Principal
- Aquinas High School, Southgate (1989-92): Teacher/Academic Dean
- Detroit Public Schools, Detroit (1992-96): Adult Education Teacher
- Dominican High School & Academy, Detroit (1996-97): Business Office Staff
- Lenawee Emergency & Affordable Housing, Adrian (1998-2000): General Office Help
- Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian (2000-05): Congregation Driver
- Adrian Dominican Sisters, Adrian (2005-14): Volunteer Congregation Driver
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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