08/16/2025
Sharing the passing of Sister Rosalie Esquerra. Her gentle spirit and wisdom will truly be missed by all.
For 51 years, she served as Corporate Member and Co-Founder with Fr. Alex Steinmiller, Fr. John Phelps, and Alexander & Judith MacDonald.
She has given her life for the work of youth and young adults in Detroit, Tucson, Chicago and beyond. In Detroit she is known as the Rosa Parks for Bilingual Education. Among the numerous awards she has been given, she was Honored by The Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2021 for her advocacy of bilingual education in 1972.
Funeral Arrangements for
Sister Rosalie Esquerra, OP
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Sister entered eternal life on Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Vigil Service - St. Catherine Chapel
Monday, August 18, 2025 @ 7:00PM
Funeral Mass - St. Catherine Chapel
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 @ 10:30AM
Rite of Committal - In Congregation Cemetery following the Liturgy
All are welcome to participate in Sister’s Vigil Service and Funeral Mass via livestream at
https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream
Afterwards, recordings will be posted on Sister’s In Memoriam page for 6-8 weeks at
https://adriandominicans.org/Meet-Dominicans/In-Memoriam
Viewing & Service will take place at Dominican Life Center 1277 E. Siena Heights Drive Adrian, MI 49221
Viewing: Monday, August 18th 7:00PM and Service: Tuesday, August 19th 10:30AM
Limited overnight accommodations are available, and a luncheon will follow the service.
Please reach out to Bonnie at 313.516.0864 or [email protected] for more information
or to confirm the number of luncheon attendees.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be shared with Life Directions
Online: Give - lifedirections www.lifedirections.org/give
By Mail: Fr. John Phelps, C.Ss.R., Life Directions
Marygrove Campus (Liberal Arts Bldg.) 8425 W. McNichols Detroit, MI 48221
[email protected] 313.516.8272
Nearest Florist: Barrett's Florist 1033 W. Beecher Street Adrian, MI 49221 517.263.2660
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