Sr. Elaine Sova, RSM, died peacefully Oct. 13, 2026, at St. Bernardine Home in Fremont, Ohio.
Sr. Elaine’s ring motto — “I am with you always” — resonates with the friends and family she leaves behind. One Sister said, “She was a kind and gentle soul” — summarizing many of the comments Sisters made about their friend.
Elaine was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 10, 1942, to Elaine LeBlanc and Leonard Sova. Elaine lived much of her life in Cheboygan, Michigan, attending Cheboygan Catholic Jr. High and High School. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Detroit on September 7, 1962 and professed her final vows August 8, 1970. Elaine graduated with a B.S. in Social Science in 1967 from Mercy College of Detroit and attained an M.Ed. from Boston College in 1975.
While living in Boston she and fellow student Sister Mary Paulita Walters, RSM explored Boston during the Bicentennial year and later traveled to Ireland together. “She was quiet but a lot of fun to be with,” and there was a depth to her Paulita recalled.
Classmate Sister Charlotte Young described her as a “gentle loving soul who always extended herself to help others and enjoyed being with her classmates.”
Elaine had a great love for Cheboygan and for her family, both the living and the ancestors. She talked with one or another of her sisters every day. And, as an early computer adapter, she tracked her family several generations back and across national boundaries, a hobby she continued at St. Bernardine Home.
Elaine’s first ministries were in education. She taught at several Michigan schools including St. Ann, Cadillac; St. Mary Magdalen, Hazel Park; St. Francis, Grand Rapids; Cheboygan Catholic Jr. High, and St. Casimir, Posen.
She also served on the staff of Mercy Conference Center, Farmington Hills, and Mercy College of Detroit. Her later ministries were in Michigan hospitals including Mercy Hospital, Port Huron; Mercy Hospital, Marysville; St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland, Pontiac and also at the Community offices in Farmington Hills where she helped many convents by installing computers and teaching the Sisters to use them.
When Elaine moved to McAuley Life Center, Farmington Hills, then to The Neighborhoods of White Lake, and, finally, St. Bernardine Home, she continued a ministry of prayer and compassionate accompaniment of her elderly Sisters and some members of Sisters’ families. “When I had to move my mom to White Lake, at the age of 100,” said Sister Maureen Mulcrone, I was so grateful to have her surrounded by our Sisters—Elizabeth Mary, Nancy, Jane and Elaine. Elaine was so kind to my mother and Mom’s face would break into a big smile whenever Elaine came to visit.” That merciful spirit emanated from Elaine right up to her last days.
Elaine was preceded in death by siblings Susan Hansen and Lawrence Sova. She is survived by sisters Joan (Jerry) Brown, Cheboygan, Michigan; Pat (Bill) Wanders, Grand Rapids, Michigan; sister-in-law Diana Sova, Hamilton, Ohio; brother-in-law Gary Hansen Cheboygan; 10 nieces and nephews and her Sisters of Mercy Community.
Sister Elaine Sova’s services will be at St. Bernardine Home:
- Welcoming Ritual: Sunday, October 18, 2:30 p.m.
- Funeral liturgy: Monday, October 19, 11 a.m.
The grave site service and burial will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan, at a later date.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
