Sr. Rebecca Curtin, CSJ, died Nov. 17 at the age of 87.

Elizabeth Curtin was born in Okmulgee, Okla., on June 20, 1926, the daughter of James and Margaret (Brady) Curtin. She was a member of St. James Parish in Ferndale at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on July 1, 1946. She received the name Sr. Rebecca at her reception Jan. 3, 1947. She pronounced first vows July 2, 1949, and final vows July 2, 1952.

Sr. Curtin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Nazareth College. She taught in many schools of the congregation, including St. Agnes Parish in Flint and St. Rita Parish in Detroit. She then accepted the call to minister at St. Francis Home in Detroit as a prefect and dormitorian. In 1972, she moved to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Emmett, where she served as a religious education coordinator for 13 years. Sr. Curtin then responded to an invitation to work with older adults as an assistant director at Marydale Center in Port Huron. Sr. Curtin retired to Nazareth in 2002, where she volunteered her services at Fontbonne Manor in occupational therapy. In addition, she drove the sisters to medical appointments on a regular basis.

Sr. Curtin’s favorite passage was from Colossians 3:2-24, “Whatsoever you do, work at it with your whole being.  Do it for the Lord rather than for people, since you know full well that you will receive an inheritance from God as your reward.  Be slaves of Christ the Lord.” Gratitude for her vocation showed itself through her willingness to respond daily to God’s call. She also enjoyed traveling, and her favorite hobbies were crocheting and embroidery work.

Mass of Christian burial was held for her Nov. 21 at Holy Family Chapel.