MONROE – Sr. Alys Currier, IHM, age 100, died Wednesday, June 17, surrounded by her IHM family in Monroe.
Alys Irene Currier was born in Battle Creek on August 10, 1925. She was one of eleven children in the family of Augustus and Irene (Allen) Currier of Battle Creek, Michigan. The family belonged to St. Phillip Parish, where the children attended the elementary and high schools. After high school graduation, Alys entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Monroe) and received the religious name Sister Gerontia.
Sr. Alys continued her education, earning a bachelor’s degree at Marygrove College and a master’s degree in education at Wayne State University. Her lifetime ministry was dedicated to education: elementary grades, adult religious education and pastoral ministry in parish communities. She was missioned to St. John, Monroe, Holy Redeemer and St. Agnes, Detroit, St. Charles, Coldwater, Sacred Heart, Auburn Heights, and Holy Name, Birmingham. She oversaw religious education at St. Bede Southfield and St. Colman, Farmington Hills.
After years in formal education and a year of renewal, she entered full-time parish ministry as a pastoral minister at St. Malachy Church, Sterling Heights, where she remained for over 20 years. The parish honored her ministry by naming the social hall the “Sister Alys Currier Center.”
As a resident of the IHM Motherhouse, Sr. Alys participated in community gatherings and liturgical services, most recently celebrating her 100th birthday with the community in August 2025. She wrote that prayer was her global ministry – individually and with others – on issues affecting the world. Her daily ministry was prayer and presence as she visited with friends, those in health care and many staff on campus.
Sr. Alys is survived by her brother Richard and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sisters, Ann (Sr. Agnes Cecile, IHM), Mary, Therese and Rita, and brothers Joseph, John, Alan, Robert and Rev. Bruno, T.O. R.
Services will be held at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, on Monday, June 22, with a Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Streaming begins at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.
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