Sister Connie's Services
Visitors are welcome; masks required.
Visitation: 4:00-5:00 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m., Nov. 3, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Dominican Father Michael DeTemple, celebrant.
Burial: Roselawn Memorial Park, 10 a.m. Thurs. Nov. 4.
Springfield Dominican Sister Constance Klamroth died October 31, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent, in the 67th year of her religious profession. She was born in San Francisco to Orrin and Neva Hunt Klamroth who named her Constance Jane. She entered the Dominican Sisters in 1952 and made her profession of vows in 1954. She was known for a time as Sister Mary Constantia.
Sister Constance “Connie” earned a degree in church music before she joined the Dominicans. She taught music at parochial schools in Odell, Crystal Lake, Springfield, Aurora, Chicago, and Bradley Ill., as well as in her home parish, Redlands, Calif.; She also taught classroom subjects.
Later in life Sister Connie supported community ministries at the Arcola Religious Education Center, Holy Ghost Parish,Hammond, La., and at Benincasa Renewal Center in Riverton, Ill., before becoming a full-time liturgical musician at Sacred Heart Convent for 13 years. She also served as liturgist for the Dominicans at Our Lady of the Elms, Akron, Ohio, 2000-2004 and was a frequent substitute musician at Our Saviour Church, Jacksonville.
Sister Connie was preceded in death by her parents, by Maude Hunt, the grandmother who raised her, and her sister Christine Tucker. She is survived by her niece Elaine (Steve) Hays, Morgan Hill, Calif., nephew Richard C. Tucker, Murietta, Calif., great nieces and nephews, many loving friends, and her Dominican Sisters.
Visitors are welcome; masks required. Visitation: 4:00-5:00 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704. Visitation begins with a prayer service. Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m., Nov. 3, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Dominican Father Michael DeTemple, celebrant. Burial: Roselawn Memorial Park, 10 a.m. Thurs. Nov. 4.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister Connie may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704
The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister Connie are served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Offer condolences at butlerfuneralhomes.com.
I met Sr. Connie when I was in 8th grade as she took over the music duties at Holy Angels grade school in Aurora, IL. Little did I know at the time how great an influence she would be in my life. She taught me piano through my high school years as well as teaching me to play the organ correctly. She believed in my abilities, saying “I believe you will be able to play anything anyone puts in front of you”. With that blessing and trust I became a music teacher and have lived by that confidence ever since. Sr. Connie was also a very dear friend during my years in community and still supported me after I left. I will miss her terribly.
Sister Connie was a well rounded musician who could express a variety of moods. She was very patient working with vocalists or instrumentalists, yet firm in coaxing out the best performance possible. I am especially grateful that, at my request, she played a Bach postlude for the first profession of Sister Linda Mary and myself. “In Thee Is Gladness” is not as well known as some of his work ,but it captured the joy of the moment and she made a special effort to learn it.