Sr. Marie Damian Schoenlein, formerly known as Rita Schoenlein, died Sept. 25 at the University of Michigan Medical Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was 85 and in the 65th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sr. Schoenlein was born in St. Peter, Ohio, to Peter and Veronica (Braun) Schoenlein. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Barry College (University) in Miami Shores, Fla.; and a Master of Education degree from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.

Sr. Schoenlein ministered for 54 years in elementary and adult education in Detroit, Adrian, and Lansing; Cincinnati, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Miami Shores, Fla.; and Bonao, Dominican Republic. She was principal of St. Mary School in Adrian from 1961-67, and at Resurrection School in Lansing from 1967-71. Sister founded the Dominican Literacy Center in Detroit, and was the director for 19 years. In addition, she served 10 years in leadership positions for Adrian Dominican Sisters in Detroit, as co-provincial of St. Catherine Province from 1978-82, and chapter prioress of Great Lakes Mission Chapter from 1982-88. In 2007, she became a resident at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was a co-foundress of the Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian, and was the Literacy Center Administrator for the past four years.

She taught at Our Lady Gate of Heaven, Detroit (1948-52); and St. Lawrence, Detroit (1957-61).

Sr. Marie Damian is survived by three brothers, Hugo Schoenlein of Englewood, Ohio; Zeno Schoenlein of St. Marys, Ohio, and Louis Schoenlein of Portland, Ind.

The funeral liturgy was Sept. 28, and burial will be in the Congregation cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.