Sr. Mary Frances Coleman, formerly known as Sr. Williamine Coleman, died Jan. 13 at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 97 and in the 74th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sr. Coleman was born in Chicago to William and Josephine (Hedderman) Coleman. She graduated from St. Mary High School in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Commercial Education degree in business education from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Spanish from Santo Domingo University in the Dominican Republic.

Sister spent 26 years ministering in education in Michigan, Florida, Illinois and the Dominican Republic.

In Michigan, she taught at St. Mary, Rockwood (1941-42); and Dominican High School, Detroit (1943-44). From 1974-75, she did translation work in Rome and the Dominican Motherhouse in Adrian. She was a Researcher for Opus (United States Dominican History) for 11 years, and contributed to the writing of the book: “Dominicans at Home in a Young Nation: 1786 – 1865,” and Volume 1 of “The Order of Preachers in the United States: A Family History.” Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2002.

She is survived by a niece, Sr. Maureen O’Connell, also an Adrian Dominican.

A Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 18 in St. Catherine Chapel. Burial is in the Congregation cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.