Sr. Sarah Ann Sharkey, OP, formerly known as Sister John Peter, died on Nov. 19, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 83 years of age and in the 64th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Sarah Ann was born in Abilene, Texas, to Paul and Marceline (Braden) Sharkey. She graduated from John Carroll High School in Birmingham, Alabama; and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Barry College (University) in Miami, Florida; a Master of Arts degree in Theology-Scripture from Union Theological Seminary in New York, New York; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biblical Studies from Catholic University in Washington, DC.
Sister ministered in elementary education for nine years in Aiken, South Carolina, and Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Vero Beach, Florida. She also served as novice director for the Adrian Dominican Sisters for four years and as religious education coordinator for one year in Brighton, Michigan. After completing her graduate studies, she was a professor at St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland, for 13 years, and associate professor at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, for almost 20 years. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2015.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by a cousin, Susan Gilliam from San Antonio, Texas, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30-7:00 pm on Monday, November 25, 2024, in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 pm Monday, November 25, 2024, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 am Tuesday, November 26, 2024. 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.
Those who are not attending services in person are welcome to participate via livestream.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan 5 years:
- St. Clement, Dearborn (1972-73): Formation Staff
- Adrian Dominican Motherhouse, Adrian (1973-76): Formation Staff
- St. Patrick, Brighton (1976-77): Religious Education Coordinator
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