Sr. Jean Ann Gorman, IHM

Sister Jean Ann (Viviana) Gorman, IHM

Monroe, MI-- Sister Jean Ann Gorman, IHM, 100, died November 18, 2022, at the IHM Motherhouse health care center, Monroe, Michigan.

One of six children born to Joseph and Loretta (Kearns) Gorman, Jean Ann arrived on January 10, 1922, in Highland Park, Michigan. Along with her brothers and sisters, she attended St. Alphonsus, Dearborn and St. Francis de Sales High School, Detroit. Within a month of graduating from St. Francis de Sales, she entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe and received the religious name, Sister Viviana.

Her educational ministry began in 1942 with elementary students in Detroit at Christ the King, Epiphany, Gesu, St. Agnes, St. Boniface, and St. Vincent; at St. Alphonsus Liguori, San Leandro, California; St. Joseph, Monroe; and St. Joseph, Trenton. Her teaching ministry closed in 1985 with the last ten years at St. Cyprian, Riverview. During her teaching assignments, Sister Jean Ann earned a bachelor’s degree from Marygrove College and a master’s degree from the University of Detroit.

Sister Jean Ann moved into the IHM Motherhouse in late 1985 but did not “retire.” She became the Transportation Coordinator and Driver for the Motherhouse community. In 1990, she retired but remained active in various volunteer ministries on campus and Motherhouse in service to her sisters. At age 96, she named her ministry as “visiting the sick, praying for the community and staff and sharing the gifts I have received.”

Sister Jean Ann is survived by nieces and nephews and sisters in community. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Barbara Thomas and Marjorie Zacharski, and brothers, Joseph, Charles and William.  

Visitation will be held at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, Wednesday, November 23. Facial masks are required while in the building. Welcoming of the body begins at 9 a.m. with a Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Livestreaming begins at 10 a.m. and may be viewed until Dec. 11, 2022. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.