Adele Donovan, CSJ

Adele Donovan, CSJ was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia on May 23, 1919, the daughter of Patrick and Gertrude (Curley) Donovan. She was a member of St. Philip Neri Parish in Detroit at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on February 11, 1935. Adele received the name Sister Adele at her reception on August 26, 1935. She pronounced first vows on August 24, 1937 and final vows on August 24, 1940. Sister Adele earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Nazareth College and a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Detroit. For forty-six years she taught and served as principal in many schools of the Congregation including St. Benedict in Highland Park, St. Mary in Niles and St. Mary in Flint. In 1983 Sister Adele retired from the teaching profession and became a receptionist in the SSJ Health System Office and in 1988 she ministered as a secretary in the SSJ Guild Office. Sister Adele’s entire life was characterized by her many expressions of kindness and she touched the lives of many by her loving and cheerful personality. Her spirit of gentle compassion is most evident in her favorite Scripture passage, “I have called you by name. You are mine”. She was a woman of deep faith and inner strength which enabled her to serve the dear neighbor without distinction. She possessed a positive outlook on life and was gifted with the grace to accept people as they are. Generous with her time, talents and energy, she was always willing to help others whenever and wherever she was needed. Sister Adele was most grateful to her family, CSJ community and friends for their love, support and encouragement throughout the years and was grateful for the many opportunities that she had been given for spiritual and intellectual growth. May Sister Adele enjoy eternal rest and peace in the loving embrace of the God she served so faithfully all her life. May She Rest In Peace!