Springfield Dominican Sister Philip Neri Crawford died February 26, 2019 at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Springfield, Ill., in 1931, and named Marilyn Marie by her parents, Louis and Florence (Christjansen) Crawford. She made her profession of vows in 1951 at Sacred Heart Convent.
Sister Philip Neri dedicated 62 years of religious life to Catholic education. From her first assignment at St. Thomas School, Newton, Ill. to her final 14-year teaching position at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School, she never lagged in her commitment to or energy for encouraging students and teachers. She also taught at Catholic elementary schools in Evergreen Park, Chicago and Crystal Lake. Sister Philip Neri also taught at the religious education center in Carlinville before her first mission as elementary school principal at Our Saviour in Jacksonville. There and at St. Dominic School in Quincy, she taught 8th grade as well. After six years in the Springfield Diocesan Office of Education she was principal at St. Christina, Chicago, then Routt High School Jacksonville, and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hammond, La., where she was a pioneer teacher and the school’s second principal.
Even in retirement she continued to teach, sharing her passion for current events with her sisters at Sacred Heart Convent by providing weekly dinnertime updates.
Sister Philip Neri was preceded in death by her parents, her sister LouAnn Ross, and brothers Robert and Richard Crawford. She is survived by her sister Barbara Fox, Wildwood, Mo., sisters-in-law Shirley Crawford, Harrisonville, Mo., and Katherine Maland, Sun City, Ariz.; nephews and nieces including Dominican Sister Kristin Crawford of Moweaqua, as well as by cousins and beloved friends.
Vistation: 4:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St. in Springfield. The visitation will begin with a prayer service.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Father Peter Witchousky, OP, celebrant.
Morning Prayer, Rememberings, and Final Commendation: 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 1, 2019 at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel. Burial follows at Roselawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.
The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister Philip Neri are being served by Staab Funeral Homes—Springfield. Please visit StaabFamily.com to offer your condolences.
Sister Neri was my principal at St Christina school in Chicago. She was a fair and nice woman. May she rest in peace
I had her as a principal and teacher at Routt High School in Jacksonville . She was a very good teacher and thought of her now and then over the years . Definitely had an influence on me .
That should of been Our Saviors grade school not Routt .
I just ran across Sister’s obituary. I was an 8th grade student of her’s at Our Savior’s in Jacksonville. Initially I did not like her. I eventually realized that Sister was trying to push me to bring out the best in me. From that point on I had the deepest respect and gratitude for Sister. May she rest in Peace.
I am only just now hearing of Sr Philip’s passing. I will always be grateful for her hiring me as a 25 yr old brash rookie teacher what is now over forty years ago. I have taught and been a principal myself this whole time but I could never have succeeded without her taking a chance in me and for having patience to make me a good teacher. Rest In Peace and thank you!!
Daniel, thank you for your kind words about our Sister Philip Neri. We appreciate hearing them from you.
She was my principal at St Thomas Aquinas in Hammond, Louisiana. Very sad to hear of her passing.
I remembered her from way back when in the 60s, when i was in 8th grade at Our Saviour School. My condolences to her friends and family.