Sister Nancy Malburg OP

MALBURG, OP, Sister Nancy, of Grand Rapids was gently called home to God on July 4, 2026, at the age of 87, after 69 years of joyful and faithful Dominican religious life.

Sister Nancy lived a life of faith, service, study, and compassion. Born March 8, 1939, in Hart, Michigan, she was the eldest of seven children of Raymond and Josephine (Bellgraph) Malburg. Raised on a farm, she learned the values of hard work, family, and faith.

She entered the Dominican Sisters in September 1957 and received the name Sister Marie Paul as a novice. She earned degrees from Aquinas College and the University of Notre Dame and ministered as a teacher, principal, personnel director, facility administrator, parish minister, and volunteer.

Sister Nancy’s ministries included service at Marywood Academy High School, St. Mary’s in Saginaw, Beaver Island Community School, the Diocese of Green Bay, Marywood, St. John Vianney Parish in Wyoming, Michigan, St. Ann/St. Ignatius Parish in Baldwin, Michigan, and Bridger, Montana.

In later years, Sister Nancy continued to serve through the Dominican Center Bookstore, the Peace of Cake bakery initiative, and the Special Doll Project for Bethany Christian Services. Faithful servant and gentle woman, may she be embraced now by the outstretched arms of her loving Savior.

Sister Nancy will repose at Marywood Chapel of the Word, 111 Lakeside Dr. NE, with a Remembering Service on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 9:00 am and Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 am. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials in Sister Nancy’s name may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters.