Sr. Joyce Hibbert, formerly Sr. Rita Thomas Hibbert, died Jan. 19 at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 78 and in her 61st year in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sr. Hibbert was born in Mount Clemens to Roy and Emily (Thomas) Hibbert. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received degrees from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and St. Michael College in Winooski, Vt.

Sr. Hibbert spent 42 years ministering as an elementary teacher, including at St. Patrick, Brighton (1955-61, 1975-87); St. Gemma (1961-67) and Our Lady Gate of Heaven, Detroit (1967-68); St. Thomas Aquinas, East Lansing (1968-75); and St. Joseph Academy, Adrian (1988-98). She also served as a rehabilitation assistant for seven years at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian.

Sr. Hibbert is survived by a sister, Carol Covino of Almont; and a brother, Thomas Hibbert of Clay.

A funeral Mass was offered in St. Catherine Chapel on Jan. 25. Rite of Committal was to be in the Congregation cemetery.