Sr. Arlene Bennett, RSM, a longtime member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, died peacefully the night of Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at St. Bernardine Home in Fremont, Ohio. She was 97 years old and a Sister of Mercy for nearly 80 years.
For years, Sister Arlene Bennett said to friends, “I keep telling God I’m ready to join Him, but He must still think He doesn’t need me to help Him run the world.” On Sept. 4, God must have had a change of mind.
Born Gladys Eileen Bennett on October 4, 1927, in Mt. Morris, Michigan, she was the daughter of John and Lula R. (Smart) Bennett. Her early years were shaped by both love and loss. At the age of 14, she and her five siblings were orphaned when both parents died of heart disease within six weeks of each other. Arlene and her younger sister LuAnn were taken in by an aunt, while her four brothers were placed in an orphanage.
Despite these early hardships, Arlene felt a strong call to religious life. She entered the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 8, 1945, and professed her final vows on Aug. 16, 1951, taking the name Sister Arlene.
Sister Arlene's ministry spanned more than 60 years and reflected a deep love of both education and liturgy. She began her service as a teacher in Catholic schools throughout Michigan. Her passion for the liturgy led her to pursue advanced degrees from the University of Notre Dame and Duquesne University. She went on to become a professor at Mercy College of Detroit, where she particularly enjoyed working with adult learners, helping them grow in faith and understanding.
In the Archdiocese of Detroit, she served as liturgical assistant to Fr. Ken Untener. Later, when her good friend Father Pat was named Bishop Patrick Cooney of Gaylord in 1991, Sister Arlene offered to assist him in the Diocese of Gaylord as Liturgical Director. There, she supported parishes in navigating the evolving landscape of Catholic liturgy. She served in this role with great dedication until her retirement in 2009.
Sister Arlene was preceded in death by all her siblings and is survived by nieces and nephews, along with her cherished Mercy community, who will remember her for her pleasant manner, wit, deep spirituality, and enduring commitment to the mission of Mercy.
A welcome ceremony will take place at 3pm on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at St. Bernardine Home, 1220 Tiffin Street, Fremont, Ohio where visitation will continue until 7pm. The funeral liturgy will be Thursday, September 11 at 11:00am. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hermanfh.com.
A graveside service and interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield will be scheduled at a later date.
In the words she often spoke with a smile, “God must finally have needed help running the world.” May she now rest in the eternal peace for which she so faithfully prepared others.
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