Sr. Marie Michael Jacobs

05/26/1930

09/05/2018

Memorial Contributions may be made to:

Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters

2025 Fulton Street East

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Jacobs, OP, Sister Marie Michael of Grand Rapids died on September 5, 2018. She was 88 years old and a Dominican Sister for 69 years. Sr. Marie Michael earned a B.A. in History and an M.A. in Education from Aquinas College. In 1997 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Aquinas College. Sr. Marie Michael taught at St. Alphonsus, St. Anthony and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Grand Rapids; St. Mary, St. Joseph and Sacred Heart, Saginaw; St. Mary, Lake Leelanau; St. Anne, Alpena; St Joseph, Muskegon; St Alfred, Taylor and Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn.  For 29 years Sr. Marie Michael served St. Andrew School, Grand Rapids in roles including principal and president.  She also served as the Executive Director of the Hugh Michael Beahan Foundation. In 1986, Sr. Marie Michael was one of three private school principals from the United States and Puerto Rico recognized by the National Distinguished Principals Program. She also received the YWCA Tribute award (1982), the GRACE Church/Community Recognition Award (1984) and the Hugh Michael Beahan Award (1988). In her later years she worked in Washington, D.C. at Center City Consortium on curriculum development for Center City Schools. She served on the board of Holy Name of Jesus School (now San Juan Diego Academy) in Grand Rapids. Her fundraising expertise resulted in the annual “Golf Fore Dominicans” outing and raffle which raises financial support for the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. Sr. Marie Michael regarded the call of a religious vocation above any professional distinction. Always alert to the call to justice, she was involved in the N.A.A.C.P., the Diocesan Human Relations Commission, Peace and Justice Commission and Advocacy for Just Policies. She prized community life and the wonderful friendships she established within the congregation.  She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Karma (Jack) Jacobs and Kathleen (Donald) Jacobs; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and members of her Dominican community. Sr. Marie Michael will repose at Dominican Chapel/Marywood, 2025 Fulton Street East, with visitation on Friday, September 7 from 6-7 PM, followed by a Remembering Service at 7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 AM on Saturday, September 8 at Dominican Chapel/Marywood. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sr. Marie Michael Jacob’s name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters.

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