In memoriam

Sunday morning, August 23, 2026, as the sun began to shine after a thunderstorm, our dear Sister Rita Smith was taken into the arms of God. Sister Rita was 93 years old and had served the people of God as a Sister of St. Dominic of Amityville for almost 74 years.

Sister Martha Napior, formerly known as Sister John Estelle, died on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 87 years of age and in the 70th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Frances “Fran” Madigan, baptized Laverne Frances Madigan and formerly known as Sister Frances Dennine, died on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 91 years of age and in the 73rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Barbara Gentry died on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 72nd year of her religious profession.

Sister M. Veronica Landi, OP, a Dominican Sister for 74 years whose teaching ministry spanned nearly six decades and touched countless lives across Northern California, died peacefully on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the age of 95.

Racine Dominican Associate Athaleen (Athy) Baum danced into eternal life on August 6, 2026 at Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin at age 87.

Sister Sheila Mullins, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on August 19, 2026, in Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. She was 86 years old.

Sister Joan Bartin, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on August 19, 2026, in Siena Hall, Dominican Convent. She was 95 years old.

Our own Sister Augusta Conter, OP, 9 (formerly S. Francesca), was welcomed home by God on August 7, 2026. She was 93 years old and had devoted 75 years to religious life.

Sr. Marie Bordages, O.P. (Therese Catherine) entered eternal life on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Sister Margaret Charles Kociolek, OP of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, entered eternal life on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Wartburg in Mount Vernon, NY. She was 97 years of age.

Dominican Sister of Peace Judene Lillie, OP, (95), a native of Menlo, IA, died at Mohun Health Care Center, Columbus, OH, on July 30, 2026.

Sister Mary Martin Joseph, OP, died July 26, 2026. She was born May 8, 1943, and named Stanley. She made profession in 1963 and received the religious name of Sister Mary Martin.

Sister Barbara Hansen, OP, of Grand Rapids was gently called home to God on July 19, 2026, at the age of 87, after 69 years of joyful and faithful Dominican religious life.

Dominican Sister of Peace Mary Bergin, 91, died July 7, 2026, at Mohun Care Center in Columbus. She was born in Washington, Dc, to John and Mary (Keegan) Bergin in 1935 and entered the congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci (now the Dominican Sisters of Peace) in 1954. She took the religious name Sister Mary John Vercelli. She professed her final vows six years later.