Sister Colleen Ann Nagle, FSE, director of the Franciscan Life Process Center, was called to eternal life on Saturday, June 14, 2025, following a lengthy battle with illness. A journey she embraced with deep faith.
Sister Colleen Ann was one of the first two women to join the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist when it was newly founded in 1973. She lived and worked at the Franciscan Life Process Center in Lowell since 1981. Sister Colleen Ann was a trusted advisor and confidant to many in West Michigan through her 40 years as a therapist. She was a dear friend of our parishes and schools and genuinely loved the priests and people of the diocese. Her warmth and steady presence provided healing and guidance to numerous individuals, parishes and school communities through times of crisis and tragedy.
Bishop Walkowiak offered the following words of reflection upon learning of Sister’s death: “Her death is a great loss to our local church. How many adults and children she helped with her tender and wise ways over the years! We shall miss her dearly.”
Sister Colleen Ann gave generously of her time and served on many committees over the years, including as a board member of West Catholic High School, and chaired the Mission Effectiveness Committee of the Diocesan Catholic School Board from 2021-2024.
Each fall, West Catholic honors individuals who have left a lasting legacy at West Catholic High School. It was announced this spring that Sister Colleen Ann was chosen as the recipient of the school’s St. John Paul II Award. Named after the school’s patron saint, the award recognizes individuals who have served the West Catholic community as a model of spirituality, service, and a life dedicated to Jesus Christ. The school will posthumously honor Sister Colleen Ann with the award at their annual Falcon Awards Night on Oct. 22, St. John Paul II’s Feast Day.
Visitation and Funeral arrangements:
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 24, from 4-7 p.m. at the Chapel of the Annunciation of the Franciscan Life Process Center, 11650 Downes Street NE, Lowell, MI, 49331.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 25 at St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church, 6477 Ada Drive SE, Ada, MI 49301 with visitation one hour prior. Bishop Walkowiak will preside at the funeral Mass.
Donations in her memory will be put toward the completion of the ReVITAlize Project to take the Franciscan Life Process Center into the future.
Read more about Sister Colleen Ann and the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in FAITH Grand Rapids magazine (Nov. 2014)
Bishop Walkowiak joined the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist for dinner on Oct. 9, 2024. Sister Colleen Ann is pictured front row, right.
Please keep Sister Colleen Ann, her community of Sisters, and her family in your prayers. Eternal rest grant unto Sister Colleen Ann, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
