Sister Julianne Wolny, formerly known as Sister Mary de Lourdes, died Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 90 years old, and in the 72nd year of her religious profession: 21 years as a Felician Sister from Livonia, Michigan, and and 51 years in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Julianne was born in Saginaw, Michigan, to Frank and Martha (Sobkowiak) Wolny. She graduated from Felician Academy in Detroit, Michigan, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Madonna College in Livonia and a Master of Arts degree in Sacred Doctrine from St. Mary College in Notre Dame, Indiana.
Sister Julianne served as assistant director of the Archbishop's Fund in Los Angeles for 10 years, and an administrative assistant of Catholic Charities in San Diego, California. In Michigan, she spent 17 years in education in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Livonia, Clare, and Alpena. She served 13 years as a religious education coordinator in Saginaw, Michigan, and as a CCD coordinator in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Sister Julianne also ministered 11 years as executive secretary for the Vicar of Religious’ Office in Detroit, and three years as the executive secretary for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in Silver Spring, Maryland. She was Minister of Presence at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego for five years before returning to Michigan.
Sister Julianne became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2020.
Sister Julianne was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by a brother, Bernard, of Saginaw, Michigan, and a sister, Marianne Nowak, of Hemlock, Michigan, other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
