Sr. Shirley Mary Heymes, OP, formerly known as Sister James Barbara Heymes, died on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 94 years of age and in the 76th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Shirley was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Joseph and Marion (Korte) Heymes. She graduated from St. Ambrose High School in Detroit and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Education degree in Education from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.
Sister Shirley ministered 46 years in education in Chicago, Illinois; Fort Pierce, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Miami Shores, and Miami, Florida; Detroit and Harper Woods, Michigan; and Toledo and Defiance, Ohio, including four years as principal at St. Mary in Defiance. She was a volunteer for 11 years at the Dominican Literacy Center in Detroit. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2023.
Sister was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William Heymes. She is survived by two brothers, Paul Heymes and James Heymes (Charlotte) and a sister, Barbara DeCrick.
A Funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, 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 36 years:
- St. Jude, Detroit (1965-67): Elementary Teacher
- St. Peter, Harper Woods (1972-95): Elementary Teacher
- Dominican Literacy Center, Detroit (1995-2006): Volunteer
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