Sr. Mary Saynay, OP, formerly known as Sr. Michael Celeste Saynay, died on Sunday, October 21, 2018, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 70th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Joseph and Lucille (Rybczynski) Saynay. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit; received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in History from Siena Heights College (University), and a Master of Science degree in Education from Barry College (University) in Miami, Florida.

Sister Mary ministered for 40½ years in education in Lansing, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Detroit, Michigan; Chicago and Rockford, Illinois; Miami Shores, Florida; and Cleveland, Ohio. This period included her service as principal of Hoban Dominican High School in Cleveland for three years, assistant principal of Bishop Muldoon High School in Rockford for four years, and bookkeeper at Dominican High School in Detroit for 22 years.  Sister Mary served as administrative assistant for Congregation Central Services in Adrian for four years and as secretary/councilor for St. Catherine of Siena Province in Detroit for two years. After retirement, she was a volunteer for 17 years at the Dominican Literacy Center in Detroit. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2013.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents and a twin sister Charlotte. She is survived by two brothers: Joseph Saynay (Elaine) of Dearborn and Lawrence Saynay (Rosaria) of Shelby Township; and seven sisters: Margaret Rogers of Clinton Township, Barbara Barba (Charles) of Warren, Lillian Grochowski (David) of Alpena, all in Michigan; and Bernadine Eschrich of Fort Meyers, Florida, Constance Saynay of Bloomington, Minnesota, Rosalie Spellecy of Hornell, New York, and Sister Barbara Mary Saynay, also an Adrian Dominican.

Welcome of Sister Mary will be on Thursday, October, 25. 2018, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lobby of Madden Hall; the Wake will follow from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. in the Adrian Room. The Reception of the Body and Vigil Prayer will be at 7:00 p.m. in Holy Rosary Chapel. The Funeral Mass will be offered in Holy Rosary Chapel on Friday, October 26, 2018, 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 49 years:

• Resurrection, Lansing (1955-1957): Elementary Teacher
• St. Paul High School, Grosse Pointe Farms (1966-1968): High School Teacher
• St. Catherine of Siena Province, Detroit (1968-1970): Secretary-Treasurer/Councilor
• Central Services – Information, Adrian (1970-1974): Assistant Secretary General
• Dominican High School, Detroit (1974-1996): Bookkeeper
• Dominican Literacy Center, Detroit (1996-2013): Bookkeeping/Volunteer Typist