July 29, 2025

Sister Shirley Ann Cushing Passes Away

News Summary

Sister Shirley Ann Cushing, formerly known as Sister Blanche Marie, has passed away at the age of 97 at the Dominican Life Center. A dedicated educator and community servant, Sister Shirley contributed significantly to the Adrian Dominican Congregation and impacted many lives through her years in teaching and legal service. She is remembered fondly by her family and the community she served. Funeral arrangements are being made for her upcoming services.

Adrian, Michigan – Sister Shirley Ann Cushing, OP, formerly known as Sister Blanche Marie, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the age of 97. Her death occurred at the Dominican Life Center, where she had resided since 2021. Sister Shirley was in the 78th year of her religious profession with the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, Sister Shirley was the daughter of Frank and Blanche (Réaume) Cushing. She graduated from St. Theresa High School in Detroit before pursuing higher education. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Siena Heights College (now University) in Adrian, followed by a Master of Arts degree in English from DePaul University in Chicago. Additionally, she earned both a Master of Religious Education degree and a Doctor of Law degree from the University of Detroit, which is now known as the University of Detroit Mercy.

Sister Shirley dedicated a significant portion of her life to education, serving in various capacities for 20 years. Her teaching assignments took her across several locations, including Chicago, Oak Park, Detroit, Shaker Heights, and even Tokyo, Japan. Beyond her role as an educator, she contributed to the Adrian Dominican Congregation as Postulant Mistress and Juniorate Director for a total of six years.

In addition to her work in education, Sister Shirley served for one year as a pastoral minister at St. Lawrence in Utica, Michigan. With a strong passion for community service, she spent seven years as the Adult Education Resource Director at St. Edmund in Warren, Michigan. Furthermore, she played an essential role in providing legal services, acting as a staff attorney for the senior unit of Lakeshore Legal Service, Inc. in Mount Clemens, Michigan, for seven years. She then became the attorney manager for the legal program at the Macomb County Department of Senior Services, also for a duration of seven years.

Sister Shirley’s contributions were deeply felt within the Adrian Dominican community and beyond. She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Blanche (Réaume) Cushing, as well as her siblings: brothers William Cushing and Father Frank Cushing, and sisters Dorothy Cushing, Mary Blanche Trudeau, and Sister Virginia Cushing, who was also part of the Adrian Dominican Congregation. She is survived by her loving family and the members of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation for Sister Shirley is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will follow at 7:00 p.m. that same evening in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., also in St. Catherine Chapel, with Prayers of Committal at the Congregation Cemetery.

For those wishing to make memorial gifts, contributions may be made to the Adrian Dominican Sisters at 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being coordinated by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home in Adrian.