#BreakingNews Nun Killed on her Bicycle by hit-and-run - RIP Sr. Joseph Age 64

Police are searching for driver after local nun killed in hit-and-run Sister Joseph was killed in hit-and-run. Authorities are investigating after they say a local nun was killed in a hit-and-run crash while riding her bike. It happened in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 17 near Michigan and Williams in Alma. Sister Joseph Marie Ruessmann, 64, with the Religious Sisters of Mercy, was riding her bike back to the convent when she was hit by a vehicle. Police said the vehicle did not stop and the Sister was found by two people passing by. One of them was Delores Gardner. “All I said is don’t move, whatever you do, don’t move. Help is on the way just don’t move. She was all twisted up. And I just kept saying to her don’t move.” Sister Joseph Marie died Thursday evening at the hospital surrounded by her Sisters. Mother Mary McGreevy with the Sisters of Mercy said Sister Joseph Marie had been with the convent for so long she couldn’t remember a time without her.

 “She was tender, she was considerate of people. She was very kind and very patient.” 

 Mother Mary said told TV5 that while they are stunned by the loss, the Sisters were happy they could be with Sister Joseph Marie when she died. They also aren’t mad at the person who hit her, but they do have a message. “This must be a terrible burden to bear. We’re praying with them and just hope they have the strength to do what they need to do.” Alma Police are asking anyone with information to call Det. Biehl at 989-463-8317 or jbiehl@ci.alma.mi.us “I mean it’s bad enough to happen to any human, but somebody that gives their life to God to be left on the side of the road like trash,” Gardner told TV5. The viewing for Sister Joseph Marie will be held at Our Lady of Grace Education Center, 1965 Michigan Avenue, Alma, on Saturday, August 19 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and on Sunday, August 20 from 12- 4 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Grace Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 21.

Edited from : WNEM TV 5