Sr. Miriam Joseph Lekan, OP, baptized Josephine Bernadette Lekan, died on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 101 years of age and in the 81st year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Joseph and Frances (Perko) Lekan. She graduated from Holy Name High School in Cleveland and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Arts degree in Latin from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. Sister was also a licensed practical nurse, certified by the State of Ohio, and a pharmacologist, also certified in Ohio.
Sister Miriam Joseph spent over 37 years ministering in elementary and secondary education in Rockford and Oak Park, Illinois; Utica, Dearborn and Grand Ledge, Michigan; Hollywood, Florida; and Cleveland, Shaker Heights and Medina, Ohio. This includes six years as principal at St. Michael School in Grand Ledge. Sister also ministered as a licensed practical nurse for over seven years at St. John Hospital and for 10 years at St. Augustine Manor, both in Cleveland. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2016.
Sister Miriam Joseph is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Cyril, Matt, John, Frank, Anthony, Deacon Louis Lekan, and Rev. Joseph Lekan, SM; sisters, Frances Mlincek, Marie Viskocil, Patricia (Angela) Sammons, and Rosalie (Sally) Lekan, and by a cousin, Sister Mary Ann Zakrajsek, and a third cousin, Sister Rose Pauline Lekan, both Adrian Dominican Sisters. She is survived by loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
A Funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 am Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Prayers of Committal were 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 9 years:
- St. Lawrence, Utica (1958-59) Elementary/CCD Teacher
- St. Alphonsus, Dearborn (1959-60): Elementary/CCD Teacher
- St. Alphonsus High School, Dearborn (1960-61): High School/CCD Teacher
- St. Michael, Grand Ledge (1961-67): Elementary Teacher/Principal
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