Sr. Mary Ward, OP, formerly known as Sister Michael Bridget, died on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Michael and Bridget (Ryan) Ward. She graduated from St. Gregory High School in Chicago and earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Education degree in Guidance from DePaul University in Chicago.
Sister Mary ministered 13 years in elementary education in Elgin, Elmhurst, Chicago and Elmwood Park, Illinois. She served the Adrian Dominican Congregation for about 17 years in various positions: secretary to the formation team, executive secretary, and Secretary of the Congregation; coordinator of fund data for the ADS Development Office in Detroit and executive assistant for the Great Lakes Dominican Chapter Office, also in Detroit. She also ministered for three years as a secretary at Siena Heights College (University), a sponsored institution of the Congregation; over two years as administrator for the Detroit Center for Religious Development and for over eight years as registrar for Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2017.
Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Vincent, James, John, and Michael; and two sisters, Jane Ward-Lutterman and Theresa Ward. She is survived by two sisters, Susan Barnett and Margaret “Peg” Kloiber, other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30-7:00 pm on Monday, January 26, 2026, in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 pm Monday, January 26, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 am Tuesday, January 27, 2026. 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, MI, 49221.
Those who are not attending services in person are welcome to participate via livestream.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
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.
