Springfield Dominican Sister Mary Pauletta Overbeck died October 13, 2018, at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Dieterich, Ill., in 1915, and named Pauletta Madonna by her parents, Frank and Kathryn Petry Overbeck. She made her profession of vows in 1935 at Sacred Heart Convent.
Sister M. Pauletta was blessed with a full ministerial life. Most of her religious life was given to elementary education and religious education for children and adults. She taught at Cathedral 1934-1948, then was founding principal of Little Flower School, Springfield, 1948-1965. She also served in parishes in Crystal Lake and East Moline, Ill., Duluth, Minn, and San Diego and Redlands, Calif. She was director of religious education at St. Joseph the Worker, Chatham, 1980-1987.
In 2010, 76 years after she began teaching, she retired from her position as secretary for Illinois Church Action on Alcohol and Addiction Problems where she had served for 20 years.
Sister M. Pauletta was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Genevieve Field and Berneice Greenwood. She is survived by niece Kay Field, nephews Tim, Allen, and Paul Field; their children and grandchildren, many dear friends.
Cremation accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Prayer Service: 4:00 p.m. with visitation until 6:15 p.m., Thursday, October 25, Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St. Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. convent chapel. Morning prayer and final commendation: 10:30 a.m., convent chapel, Friday, October 26, Father Richard Chiola and Father Peter Witchousky, OP; celebrants. Burial follows, Calvary Cemetery.
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 M. Pauletta are being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.
Sister Pauletta Overbeck, OP sat down for an interview on April 20, 2015 to share some of her experiences after turning 100 in January. In his segment she talks about the challenges of teaching during the Great Depression and World War II. Sisters would get by on $40 a month and depend on the kindness of others for their basic needs and to support the ministries. When people couldn’t pay in the small missions the sisters would accept their payment in food: potatoes, bread, vegetables, and apples. See the full video here.
