Sr. Frances Gabrielle Hess, IHM, 93, died May 3 at the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe.

Sr. Hess was one of five children to Francis and Gabrielle (Horn) Hess. She was born April 6, 1924, in Elizabeth City, N.J., and given the name Mildred. She earned a degree from Marygrove College and received a Michigan teaching certification before entering the IHM community in 1949.

Sr. Hess taught at St. Patrick, Wyandotte, and Immaculata and St. Cecilia, Detroit, before earning her master’s degree from Michigan State University. She then began a 20-year career as a professor at Marygrove College, serving as faculty, chairperson of the Home Economics Department, chairperson of the Human Ecology Department and assistant professor of Foods and Nutrition. She completed much of the doctoral program in biology at Wayne State University, and in 1976 joined the faculty of Madonna College, Livonia, as faculty, assistant professor and director for the Dietetics Program. Her 20-year ministry at Madonna also encompassed pastoral care as a residence hall counselor. Sr. Hess also served as archivist at Catholic Central High School, Redford.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 8. Burial is in St. Mary Cemetery on the Motherhouse Campus.