ADRIAN, MICHIGAN—January 23, 2023—Sister Helen Hankerd, formerly known as Sister Mary Ingrid, died on Friday, January 20, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 93 years of age and in the 74th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Helen was born in Chelsea, Michigan, to Emmett and Oleta (Hutzel) Hankerd. She graduated from Chelsea High School in Chelsea and received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Music degree in Music Education from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.

Sister spent 37 years ministering in education in Detroit, Ruth, Chelsea, Monroe and Manchester, Michigan, and Cincinnati, Wickliffe and Medina, Ohio. She also ministered for 19 years as the Extended School Director for St. Thomas in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2020.

Sister Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Paul; and her sisters, Jane Cecile Hankerd and Rose Ann Salvante. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Houle of Chelsea and Therese Scharphorn and Eileen Brooks, both of Jackson, Michigan, other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Covid vaccinated persons may attend the Vigil and Funeral in person. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s services via livestream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream

Visitation will be held from 6:30-7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 pm Wednesday, January 25, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 am Thursday, January 26, 2023. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister ministered in Ohio 12 years:

St. Antoninus, Cincinnati 1956-1962 Elementary Teacher
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Wickliffe 1962-1963 Elementary Teacher
St. Francis Xavier, Medina 1967-1972 Elementary Teacher