Sister Elisa Joan Doherty, OP, formerly known as Sister Michael Eilese Doherty, died on Oct. 17, 2019, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Mich. She was 86 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Elisa was born in Detroit, to Frank and Melita (Dederich) Doherty. She graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit, and received a bachelor's degree in Piano from Barry College (University) in Miami Shores, Fla., and a Master of Music degree in Music Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee.

Sister spent 24 years ministering in education at Mother of Divine Grace School in Cheektowaga from 1952 to 1954. She also served in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; and Guayama, Puerto Rico. She was a high school music teacher for seven years at Colegio Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, an institution of the congregation. Sister was a pastoral minister for 10 years in Guayama, 12 years in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and 7 years in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was also the director of the Community Outreach Center in San Juan for six years. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2013.

Sister Elisa was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Eleanor Trombley. She is survived by a sister, Eileen Scheich of Shelby Township, and a brother, Richard Doherty of Troy, Mich.

A funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel on Tuesday, Oct. 22, followed by burial in the congregation cemetery in Adrian, Mich.