Sr. Arlene Seckel (Sr. Robert Anthony), OP, died Sunday, May 23, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 83 years of age and in the 65th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Arlene was born in Detroit, to Robert and Ruth (Labelle) Seckel. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in History from Siena Heights College (University), Adrian, and a Master of Arts degree in History from University of Detroit (University of Detroit Mercy) in Detroit, as well as certificates in Theology and in Pastoral Ministry.
Sister Arlene ministered in education for 29 years in Detroit, Iron Mountain, Ruth, and Lansing, Michigan; Joliet and Chicago, Illinois; and Solen, North Dakota, including nine years as principal in Owosso and Detroit. She was a Christian Service Coordinator for five years in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. She also ministered as Chapter Prioress for the South East Adrian Chapter in Adrian for six years and in the Adrian Dominican Sisters Development Donor Relations Office in Eastpointe for five years. Sister Arlene ministered four years as pastoral ministry assistant and five years as administrative assistant in Phoenix, Arizona. She moved to the Dominican Life Center in 2017.
Sister Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters: Patricia Seckel (Adrian Dominican Associate) and Judith Seckel Eller and two brothers: Melvin Seckel and Arthur James Seckel. Sister is survived by her sister Kathleen Hayward of Clinton Township, Michigan, and a brother, Donald Seckel of Mesa Arizona, loving nieces and nephews and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed to all guests or visitors until further notice. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s wake and funeral via live stream at http://www.adriandominicans.org/LiveStream.aspx
The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 28, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan 44 years:
- St. Mary & Joseph, Iron Mountain (1966-68): Elementary Teacher
- St. Suzanne, Detroit (1969-72): Elementary Teacher
- Ss. Peter & Paul, Ruth (1972-73): Elementary Teacher
- Lansing Catholic Central H.S., Lansing (1973-77): High School Teacher
- St. Paul, Owosso (1977-80): Principal
- St. Raymond, Detroit (1980-86): Principal
- St. Margaret of Scotland, Saint Clair Shores (1986-90): Christian Service Coordinator
- Seac Chapter, Warren (1990-91): Chapter Prioress/CHR Service
- Seac Chapter, Warren (1991-96): Chapter Prioress
- ADS Development Office, Eastpointe (2009-14): Donor Relations
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