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Sister Michael Anne Nic

Life Story & Obituary

May 22, 1927 – August 3, 2022

Born in Petoskey on May 22, 1927, Catherine was the oldest child of Michael and Bernadine (Hutta) Nic. Three brothers and a sister followed her into the family. Her father was born in Slovakia. Catherine was proud of her Slovakian heritage and longed to visit that land one day.

By the time Catherine was ready for first grade, the family had moved to Muskegon Heights where she attended public schools. She received religious instruction from Grand Rapids Dominicans at St. Mary’s, Muskegon where she began to feel drawn to religious life. As an aspirant at Marywood, Catherine finished high school. Summer vacations in her high school years brought work experiences as a clerk in the Five and Dime store one summer and as an assistant at Mercy Hospital in Muskegon during another.

In September 1945, Catherine entered the community, receiving the Dominican habit and the name Sister Michael Anne. She made first profession the following spring. She prepared to teach the summer following profession and began her career as a teacher in parish schools in Michigan including St. Joseph, West Branch; St. Sebastian, Byron Center; St. Joseph, Wright; St. Joseph, Pewamo; St. Anne, Alpena; St. Peter, Douglas; and St. Basil, South Haven.

In 1955, she was missioned to teach at Our Lady of Belen, New Mexico. In the Southwest, she was able to pursue the formal study of her favorite subject which was art. She completed her BA at St. Joseph College on the Rio Grande, Albuquerque with a major in art.

In 1963, Sister Michael Anne returned to Michigan where she taught at Holy Rosary, Bay City; St. Alfred, Taylor; St. Alphonsus, Grand Rapids; and St. Francis, Muskegon.

In 1967, she earned a certificate from Aquinas Institute of Theology and in 1974 an MA in the Teaching of Art from Western Michigan University.

After retiring from classroom teaching, Sister Michael Anne continued to serve in a variety of assignments including clerical work at Kent Community Hospital and Office Manager/Assistant for Development Projects for the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana. Returning to Grand Rapids, Sister served as a receptionist first at Marywood and then at Aquinas College. She also assisted with the library at Marywood for several years.

Sister was active in the Diocesan Council of Religious and a member of the National Association of Women Religious.

One of her early dreams was to travel to Europe, especially the home of her father in Slovakia and to visit the great art museums and ancient sites in Rome and Greece. At least part of her dream was fulfilled when she traveled with Sister Helen Miller to Slovakia and later toured Europe with Sister Mary Lee Pitre – visiting ancient sites and art museums.

Sister Michael Anne was deeply grateful for those who traveled with her on these trips, and also for the Sisters who traveled with her through every step of her long and fruitful life.

Her beautiful paintings of the natural beauty around her and her lovely calligraphy and handiwork grace our halls, and are cherished by family and friends. She loved drawing, painting, visiting art museums and galleries, sewing and reading. She once said, “Art stores and bookstores draw me like a magnet!”

Tall, quiet, and gentle by nature, she had a lilting laugh that was yet heard even as injury and illness necessitated an end to her independence and mobility. She accepted these limitations with remarkable equanimity, always grateful for visits and small gifts of maple fudge or other sweets.

Sister Michael Anne is surely enjoying the beauty of the greatest Artist of all as she is embraced by her loving God for eternity.


Sr. Michael Anne is survived by her brothers John (Judy) Nic, Muskegon, MI and Martin (Diane) Nic, Fruitport, MI; nieces, nephews, many friends and members of her Dominican Community.

Deceased

Entered eternal life on August 3, 2022 at the age of 95 after 76 years of religious life.

We commend Sister Michael Anne to your prayers.

From 1983-1986, Sister Michael Anne worked in the Communication Office for the Sisters of Providence in St. Mary’s of the Woods, Indiana. She assisted with their newsletter and coordinated their annual report and pictorial directory.

Sister Michael Anne paints a bowl during the Annual Day of Service in celebration of Catholic Sisters Week.

Sister Michael Anne Nic’s drawing of Holmdene Hall appeared on Aquinas College’s Christmas card one year; her work was selected by President Paul Nelson. She enjoys painting, and her works are just beautiful.

Tall, quiet, and gentle by nature, Sister Michael Anne had a lilting laugh that was yet heard even as injury and illness necessitated an end to her independence and mobility. She accepted these limitations with remarkable equanimity, always grateful for visits and small gifts of maple fudge or other sweets.

In September 1945, Catherine entered the community, receiving the Dominican habit and the name Sister Michael Anne. She made first profession the following spring. She prepared to teach the summer following profession and began her career as a teacher in parish schools in Michigan including St. Joseph, West Branch; St. Sebastian, Byron Center; St. Joseph, Wright; St. Joseph, Pewamo; St. Anne, Alpena; St. Peter, Douglas; and St. Basil, South Haven.

In ministry with †Sister Michael Anne Nic, OP

Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids 2021 Jubilarians

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Art Gallery — Michael Anne Nic, OP

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Dominican Sisters Grand Rapids 2016 Jubilarians

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Funeral Services for Sister Michael Anne Nic OP

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