Sr. Mary Mackert, OP, formerly Sr. John Laurence Mackert, OP, died July 3 at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 85 and in her 67th year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sr. Mackert was born in Springfield, Ohio, to John and Clara (Wagner) Mackert. She earned degrees from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and Barry College (University) in Miami, Fla. She also received a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit.

Sr. Mackert spent 22 years ministering in elementary education in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Florida, California and Puerto Rico. In Michigan, she taught at St. Scholastica, Detroit (1952-56); St. Joseph, Wyandotte (1968-70); St. Agatha, Detroit (1970-71); and Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington (1971-72). She later was a receptionist for the League of Catholic Women in Detroit (1973-74); parish minister at St. Louis Parish, Mt. Clemens (1975-79); driver at St. Lucy Parish, St. Clair Shores (1980-81); Christian service coordinator at St. Athanasius Parish, Roseville (1982-83); and an aide at St. Scholastica, Detroit (1986-88). For 29 years, she also ministered in home care for the elderly.

Funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel in Adrian on July 10. Rite of Committal was to be in the Congregation cemetery.