Sr. Marie Theresa Magrie, IHM, age 88, died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, surrounded by her IHM family.
Sister Marie Theresa was born June 15, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, to Carl and Elizabeth (Serino) Magrie. She attended Lillibridge Elementary and graduated from St. Rose de Lima High School, Detroit. Shortly after, she entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe and received the religious name, Sister Cecilia Mary. Sister Marie Theresa, as she was later known, was educated at Marygrove College, Detroit, and later earned a master’s degree in Music Education from Wayne State University.
Sister Marie Theresa was a well-known music teacher, vocalist and musician throughout Michigan. Her teaching ministry blended academic and musical studies at St. Joseph, Trenton, St. Charles, Newport, St. Patrick, Wyandotte, and Our Lady of Lourdes in River Rouge. She was missioned to St. Monica School in Mobile, Alabama, for several years. Later assignments included high schools, Immaculate Heart of Mary (Westchester, Illinois), where she led the Department of Music, Immaculata (Detroit), where she directed Choral, and as faculty at Marian and Brother Rice schools in Birmingham. She was very fond of her students throughout her educational ministry, followed their musical interests, and remained in contact for many years.
After a sabbatical year from formal education, Sister Marie Theresa pursued music ministry in parish settings at St. Owen, Birmingham, Sacred Heart of the Hills, Auburn Hills, and for 10 years at St. Vincent de Paul, Pontiac.
She was a longtime resident of Bloomfield Hills, where she cared for her elderly mother. After retirement and with changes in her health, Sister moved to her community’s Motherhouse. Her music ministry was an integral part of her presence. She shared piano accompaniment and song for liturgies, events, and sometimes impromptu when she met friends and staff in her day.
Sister Marie Theresa is survived by her IHM Sisters in community. Services will be held at the IHM Motherhouse, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. Welcoming of the body will begin at 9 a.m. with a Remembering and celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Streaming begins at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Rupp Funeral Home, Monroe, Michigan. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.
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