Sr. Therese DeCanio, OP, formerly Sr. Thomas Frances, died Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 90 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Therese was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Anthony and Frances (Liana) DeCanio. She graduated from Aquinas Dominican High School in Chicago, Illinois, and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, a Master of Arts degree in History from DePaul University in Chicago, and a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.
Sister Therese ministered in elementary education for 14½ years in Rockwood, Detroit, Port Huron, Escanaba, and Iron Mountain, Michigan; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Harvey and Oak Park, Illinois. She ministered in secondary education for 45 years in Elgin, Rockford, Lombard, Wilmette, and Chicago, Illinois, including teaching for five years at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette and five years at Bishop Muldoon High School in Rockford, both sponsored institutions of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, and for 30 years at St. Ignatius College Prep School in Chicago. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Joseph. She is survived by a sister, Loretta Murphy of Crystal Lake, Illinois; loving nieces and nephews and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed until further notice to all guests or visitors. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s wake and funeral via live stream at http://www.adriandominicans.org/LiveStream.aspx
The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 22, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Prayers of Committal will be held in the back of St. Catherine Chapel.
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 5 years:
- St. Mary, Rockwood (1950): Elementary Teacher
- Precious Blood, Detroit (1950-52): Elementary Teacher
- St. Joseph, Port Huron (1952-53): Elementary Teacher
- St. Thomas the Apostle, Escanaba (1957-58): Elementary Teacher
- St. Mary & St. Joseph, Iron Mountain (1958-61): Elementary Teacher
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