Sr. Susan Marie Ouwerkerk, OP, died Jan. 25. She was 72 and in the 54th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sr. Ouwerkerk was born in Detroit to Arnold and Edna (Anderson) Ouwerkerk. She graduated from Rosary High School in Detroit and received degrees from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.

Sr. Ouwerkerk ministered in education in Illinois and Michigan. In Michigan, she served at St. Agatha School, Detroit (1967-71), and St. Pius X School, Southgate (1971-86), where she taught and served as director of religious education. From 1986-2000, she was a pastoral associate at St. Hubert Parish in Mount Clemens, retiring to the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2001.