Sr. Martha Napior, OP
Dominican Sisters of Adrian
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 was born in Detroit to Dominic and Stella (Popielarski) Napior. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in reading, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.
Sister Martha ministered 35 years in education in Chicago and in Sault Ste. Marie, Lansing, and Detroit in Michigan. She served for10 years as a pastoral minister in Harris, Michigan; Phoenix and Tolleson, Arizona; and Windom, Minnesota. Sister also ministered one year as a bookkeeper/secretary and cashier for businesses in Lansing and Williamston, Michigan. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2015.
Sister Martha was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Edward and Arthur, and her sisters Marcella Napiorkowski (Napior) and Loretta Jasniak. She is survived by loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
