Sister M. Anita Tapocik Services
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Tue., Dec. 9, Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m., Tue., Dec. 9, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Dominican Father Robert Kelly, presiding. Wake and Mass livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/
Burial: She will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, 10:00 a.m. Wed. Dec. 10 Those services will livestream on Facebook @springfieldop.
Springfield Dominican Sister M. Anita Tapocik died December 3, 2025, in the 72nd year of her religious profession, at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Ill. She was 98 years old.
Sister M. Anita was born in 1927 in Springfield, Ill., to her immigrant parents, Joseph and Amelia (Bestudik) Tapocik, and baptized Anna Amelia at St. Barbara Church in Springfield. A proud Northender, she was one of 11 children. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1945 and joined the Dominican Sisters of Springfield in 1951, after several years working for the Illinois Secretary of State and then as a Naval stenographer in Washington DC. She made her first profession of vows in 1956.
Sister M. Anita’s aunt, Sister Hyacinth Bestudik, was a Springfield Dominican. Sister Anita credited her with influencing the congregational superior to write to Sister Anita suggesting she consider religious life. Because Sister Anita was so oriented to her tight-knit family, she found herself confirmed in her Dominican vocation in part through the loving hospitality her religious community showered on her biological family.
Sister Anita was a firm believer in Catholic education, saying “Catholic education has been good TO me and good FOR me.”
Her years of active service to the people of God began at Our Lady of Grace, Chicago, where she taught first grade. It concluded at St. Malachy, Rantoul, where for 22 years she was pastoral visitor for the parish elders. From 1954-1957 she taught grades 1-2 at St. Joseph, Bradley, while simultaneously serving as the bookkeeper for a new congregational ministry at Alfred Fortin Villa Orphanage in Bourbonnais. She served three different times in Duluth, Minn., at both Holy Rosary and St. Michael schools, 1957-1960, 1965-1971, and 1992-1993. She was principal at St. Michael.
A seven-year assignment to Sacred Heart School, Redlands, Calif., where she taught and then became principal, allowed her to be close to several of her family members who had relocated to the state. Sister Anita also taught at St. Thomas, Crystal Lake; Little Flower, Springfield; and Our Saviour, Jacksonville. She was principal at St Mary, East Moline.
The sixth-born of eleven children, Sister M. Anita was preceded in death by her infant sister Agnes, her parents, her brothers Joseph, Frank, Bernard, and Paul Tapocik; sisters Agnes Cecilia Howell, and Dorothy Mohr. She is survived by brother John Tapocik and sisters Mary Stankavich and Margaret “Bobbie” Doan, along with many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, and great-great nephews and nieces.
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, Aquinas Center, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Dominican Father Robert Kelly, presiding. Wake and Mass livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/
She will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery, 10:00 a.m., Wed., Dec. 10. Those services will livestream on Facebook @springfieldop.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister M. Anita may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.
The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister M. Anita are served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Please leave your condolences in the comments below or visit dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/butler.
My heart is absolutely shattered learning of the passing of my dear Sr. Anita. I love her so much. Not only was she a special friend for 40+ years, but I have loved her as a grandmother and mother figure as well. She was a true angel on earth, and she has rightfully earned her Heavenly wings. I will always cherish her and hold her and my many memories of her close to my heart. Sadly, I cannot attend her funeral due to medical reasons. Please give my condolences to her wonderful family. My condolences to all of the Dominicans as well.
I just heard of Sr Anita’s passing after attending Feast of the Immaculate Conception Mass at my parish tonight.
Sr Anita was my principal while I attended Sacred Heart School in Redlands, CA. I remember that she spoke w/ my Girl Scout troop about her pilgrimage to Medjugorie and the importance of praying the Rosary. I also remember she wrote emails of prayerful support and encouragement when I was discerning religious life. She was also my sponsor when I became a Springfield Associate.
May Sr Anita rest in God’s heavenly embrace and celebrate Our Mother Mary’s Feast Day today.
Love you, Sr Anita! Pray for us!
Renee LaMarca
Sister Anita was part of my life for so many years. First, at St. Joseph in Bradley, then at Alfred Fortin Villa in Bourbonnais and at St. Malachy in Rantoul. She was an inspiration to me and countless others. Such a wonderful, kind and loving soul. Eternal rest grant unto to her.