Sr. Celeste Mary Bourke, OP, formerly known as Joyce Bourke, died July 19 at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 81 and in the 62nd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sr. Bourke was born in Chicago to Edgar R. and Clara (Beliveau) Bourke. She graduated from Aquinas High School in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in fine arts from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics from Syracuse University in New York, and a master’s in pastoral ministry from Loyola University in Chicago.

Sr. Bourke spent 24 years ministering in education in Michigan and Illinois, 2 years in parish ministry in Arkansas and West Virginia, and 16 years in hospital ministry in California. In Michigan, she taught at St. Ambrose, Detroit (1951); Our Lady Gate of Heaven, Detroit (1953-55); St. Paul School, Grosse Pointe Farms (1955-58); and as an art instructor at Siena Heights College (University), Adrian (1968-72, 1974-79). Sr. Bourke became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2009.

She is survived by two sisters: Shirley B. Kenney Branecki of Omaha, Neb., and Therese B. Reilly of Granger, Ind.

Mass of Christian Burial was July 23 in St. Catherine Chapel. Burial will be in the Congregation cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI 49221.