Sr. Mary Duane Rydel, CSSF, of Bad Axe, 83, religious 65 years, died Nov. 27 in St. Joseph Care Center Convent in Livonia.

Genevieve Rydel was born in Bad Axe on Jan. 5, 1931, one of seven children of John and Mary (Pasek).

She graduated from St. Stanislaus High School in Detroit on June 12, 1949, and was accepted into the Felician Congregation a week later. She professed perpetual vows in 1957.

Sr. Rydel began her 51-year ministry of teaching at St. Andrew School, Detroit. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Madonna University and a master’s from the University of Detroit.

Sr. Rydel also taught at St. Casimir, St. Valentine, Patronage of St. Joseph,  St. Stanislaus, St. Stephen and Felician Academy in Detroit; Holy Rosary, Saginaw; St. Florian, Hamtramck; Ladywood High School, Livonia; and Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio.

Sr. Rydel was principal at St. Michael School in Livonia and Our Lady of Refuge School, Orchard Lake. She served as business manager at Madonna University and late as director of the Learning Center from 1993-2001.

A writer, Sr. Rydel’s work appeared in such publications as The Instructor (an education magazine), Today’s Catholic Teacher, and The Michigan Catholic. She served in the Felician Educational Leadership Association (FELA) and as contributing editor of the VESSEL, its bi-annual publication.

Sr. Rydel is survived by her brother Walter; twin sister Joan; and nieces and nephews.

Fr. Salvino Briffa celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial for her Dec. 1 in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel of the Felician Sisters in Livonia. Burial is in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit.