In Memoriam
Sister Ann Thomas Griffin
December 26, 1913 – August 15, 2007
 Sister Ann Thomas Griffin, an Adrian Dominican Sister, passed away August 15, 2007 at the age of 93. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. Sister Griffin entered the postulate at Adrian shortly after her 18th birthday and began her service to the order as an assistant to middle school children at St. Alphonsus in Dearborn, Michigan. On August 2, 1932, Sister Griffin returned to Adrian, Michigan, where she received her habit and religious name (taken in tribute to her parents and brother).
In 1933, Sister Griffin’s group became the first to profess vows to the then newly elected Mother Mary Gerald. For the next 17 years, she devoted her life to ministering in Michigan schools. In 1939, as a result of summer study at Siena Heights University, Sister Griffin earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and science. One year later, after receiving a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Michigan, Sister Griffin spent the next eight years teaching high school math and science at St. Joseph Academy in Adrian. She would later earn a second master’s in theology from Providence College in Rhode Island and a doctorate in education from Wayne State University in Michigan.
Over the next several years, Sister Griffin spent time in Rhode Island, California, North Carolina and Michigan as minister and educator at various schools, universities and parishes. Her assignment in 1959 sent her to Miami Shores, Florida, where she spent 14 years teaching theology, education and mathematics at then Barry College. She then spent a sabbatical year of post-doctoral study and served as a visiting professor at Florida State University in Tallahassee.
In 1974 she accepted a position as pastoral associate at St. Elizabeth Parish in Boone, North Carolina, and as campus minister at Appalachian State University, where she ministered for 10 years. In 1984 Sister Griffin returned to Adrian, Michigan, serving in the Finance Office and the Weber Center Shop at Siena Heights. She remained at Siena Heights until her passing on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption. |
