†Sister Thomas Estelle Bryan, OP

My prayer is that my life be lived in simplicity, full of trust and be a witness to all I touch, that GOD IS LOVE and that through me, He extends His love to them.

In her autobiography, Sister Thomas Estelle writes: “August 2, 1927, two days before the feast of St. Dominic, I made my first appearance; an Irish father and a French mother and a year-old brother the welcoming committee.” She was Evelyn Therese, born to Thomas Leo and Estelle Page Bryan, however, not in Saginaw, their hometown. The family had gone to Detroit to visit relatives, and the baby arrived ahead of schedule. Within a few years, Evelyn gained four more brothers and two sisters. Her mother was a beautiful, cheerful, and caring person; her father was loving, caring, and strict.

After kindergarten and first grade in a public school, Evelyn went to SS. Peter and Paul School, Saginaw, under the supervision of the Grand Rapids Dominicans. She graduated in 1945. Knowing that she was going to become a Dominican Sister as soon as possible, she took only part-time summer jobs in a grocery store and as a cashier in a theater. She and a friend, who was to enter the Carmelites, also served that summer as sacristans at the local parish church.

Evelyn’s parents, happy to give one or all their children to religion, accompanied her to Marywood on September 6, 1945. After six months as a postulant, she received the habit and the names of both parents, Sister Thomas Estelle of the Sacred Heart. During her years in formation, she delighted in entertaining her classmates with Irish songs and dances. She began studies at Aquinas College and completed a BA in English and history.

In 1947, Sister Thomas Estelle began her apostolate as a teacher at St. Mary, Muskegon, where Sister Martin Feyan guided her in the active life of a religious.

For 54 years she taught kindergarten and grades 1 and 2. Her missions included Holy Cross, Santa Cruz, New Mexico; St. Stephen, Marywood, and St. Andrew, Grand Rapids; St. John, Essexville; SS. Peter and Paul, Saginaw; and St. Francis, Traverse City. She opened kindergartens in three different schools. During summers, she taught in religious education or Vacation Bible school. While in Saginaw, she took on a ministry of visiting inmates in jails and patients in hospitals.

In later years, Sister Thomas Estelle returned to Santa Cruz. One summer she taught religion to Native American children with Sister Ann Porter on the Navajo mission in Sawmill, Arizona. About this time in her life, she reminisced, “That was so wonderful. I loved being with the people who helped me.” She was active in the Catholic Daughters and was a faithful lector and Eucharistic minister. She also participated in pilgrimages, notably the annual 100-mile Pilgrimage for Vocations to the Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico. In 1999, at a celebration of her service to the school and parish, a spokesperson for the Holy Cross community praised her as unselfish and loyal, faithful to duty, and giving of her time and talents with a smile, a kind touch, a thoughtful word, and determination. The New Mexico House of Representatives presented her with a proclamation in recognition of her services to the education of children.

Sister Thomas Estelle returned to Grand Rapids and served first as a volunteer at Sacred Heart parish. Then she moved to Marywood, where she served as assistant sacristan and as a tutor in the English as a Second Language Program. After a brief time, she moved back to Saginaw as a volunteer classroom aide for St. Anthony School. She relished living across from the cemetery which she said gave her pause for meditation about what was important in life.

Sister Thomas Estelle was a vivacious, outgoing person who loved to laugh and sing Irish songs. Her other interests were reading, quiet times, and parties with the Sisters. Her great hope was that all people – parents, teachers, families, and friends – be actively concerned for the welfare of children; and that there be less violence in the home, the community, the nation, and the world.

All who knew this cheerful, loving Sister would agree that her prayer to be a conduit of God’s goodness and love was answered. For nearly 100 years her life of simplicity and trust was an undeniable witness to our God who loves us without exception or condition.

Sister Thomas Estelle is survived by her nieces, nephews, many friends and members of her Dominican Community.

Sister Thomas Estelle Bryan was my first grade teacher in Santa Cruz, NM. The year was approximately 1953. She was a perfect first grade teacher to me and countless others. It would be my utmost pleasure to contact her, especially since I also taught first grade when I became a teacher. Thank you. ~ Susan Thibodeaux Harvey