Sr. Joan Liberty, formerly known as Sr. Marie Kieran Liberty, died at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 87 and in the 69th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sr. Liberty was born in Ottawa, Ontario, to Alexander and Rose Mary (Moran) Liberty. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in history from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian, and a Master of Education degree in history from the University of Detroit (Detroit-Mercy) in Detroit.

She spent 37 years ministering in elementary, secondary and adult education in Michigan and Illinois. She taught at Sacred Heart School, Bad Axe (1945-47); St. Bernard, Alpena (1947-49); St. Sabina, Dearborn Heights (1960-66); and Bishop Foley High School, Madison Heights (1966-70). Sister was also principal for six years at St. Sabina and for three years at Guardian Angels School in Detroit.

Sister was also the activity director for three years at Maria Health Care Center in Adrian, and in pastoral ministry for three years at St. Aloysius Parish and eight years at St. John Berchmans Parish, both in Detroit; a bookkeeper for Residential Systems in Utica; an administrator for the Collaborative Literacy Project in Detroit, PSRO abstractor for Samaritan Health Center, Detroit; and coordinating assistant and tutor at the Dominican Literacy Center in Detroit.

Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2004. She is survived by loving nieces and nephews.

The funeral liturgy was offered in St. Catherine Chapel on June 11. Burial is in the Congregation cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.