Sr. Sharon Marie Kern (76) died on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at Lourdes Nursing Home in her 48th year of religious profession. Born in Centerline, Michigan as Margaret E. Kern, she was one of the ten children born to Oswald and Eula (Steih) Kern.

Sr. Sharon Marie earned a Bachelor’s degree in education from Dominican College in Racine, Wisconsin, and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Detroit in Michigan. She began her religious life with the Dominican Sisters in Racine, Wisconsin, and later joined the Oxford Dominicans.

From 1961 to 1970, Sr. Sharon Marie served as a first-, second-, and fourth-grade teacher at Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary in Flint, Michigan, and at Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford, Michigan. Throughout the late 1970s, she served as the secretary for St. Joseph Parish in Lake Orion, Michigan, and finally as the Assistant Director of the St. Mary’s Retreat House in Oxford.

Though a remarkable teacher, Sr. Sharon Marie found her true niche serving at the St. Mary Retreat House. She loved the interaction that she shared with those on retreat. She also attended a number of Retreats International meetings throughout the summer months at the University of Notre Dame.

Sr. Sharon Marie enjoyed contemplative readings and scripture. She could often be found on a bench in the Motherhouse yard praying and reading scripture or one of her many books. Throughout her later years, Sr. Sharon Marie also attended many Scripture classes at the Orchard Lake Seminary.

Before her health began to deteriorate, Sr. Sharon Marie served as the St. Rose of Lima Motherhouse prayer minister. After a lifetime of sharing her gifts and serving God, she spent her remaining time at Lourdes Nursing Home. Sr. Sharon Marie was preceded in death by both parents and brothers Richard, Fred, and Vincent. She is survived by brothers and sisters Donald, Dorothy, Josephine, Helen, Ilene, Irene, and Robert.

DOMINICAN SISTERS OF PEACE

Sr. Anna Thieken, OP born into eternal life on May 27, 2009

Ann  Marie  Buescher, OPA born into eternal life on May 18, 2009

Sr. Marian Keane, OP born to eternal life on May 16, 2009

Sister Maria Fitzpatrick, O.P born to eternal life on May 12, 2009

Sr. M. Barbara Freisen, OP born to eternal life on May 11, 2009

Sister Mary McSweeney, OP born to eternal life on April 30, 2009

Sylvia Ann Gattas, OPA born into eternal life on April 17, 2009

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