Sr. Mary Michael (Anna) Malek, CSSF, entered eternal life Dec. 23 in St. Joseph Care Center Convent, Livonia. She was 102 and a religious sister for 84 years.

Anna Malek was born May 25, 1912, and baptized June 2, 1912, at Sacred Heart Church, Grand Rapids. She spent her early life as the eldest of five children born to Frank and Mary (Rakoczy) Malek: +Anna (Sister Mary Michael), +Edward, +Gerald, +Anthony and Dorothy (Mercado).

The family moved to Detroit, where Anna attended Assumption Grade School and then the Seminary of the Felician Sisters. Anna entered the Felician Congregation on June 13, 1930. First profession of vows was in 1933 and final vows in 1939.

Sr. Malek earned degrees at Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in New York, and the University of Notre Dame.

Over 58 years, Sr. Malek ministered in education in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. In Michigan, she taught at St. Hyacinth, St. Casimir, St. Louis the King, St. Hilary, Marian Elementary (Consolidated) all in Detroit; St. Florian, Hamtramck; St. Joseph, Manistee; St. Michael, Southfield; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wyandotte; St. Joseph, Jackson; and St. Valentine, Redford. As both principal and teacher, Sr. Malek served at St. Theresa, Wayland; Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake;  St. Adalbert, Toledo; and Our Lady Help of Christians, Detroit.

In 1989, at age 77, Sr. Malek accepted an assignment at St. Francis Home, Saginaw.

In 2003, Sr. Malek was permanently assigned to St. Joseph Care Center Convent.

Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 27 in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel in Livonia. Burial is in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield.