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Sister Mary Bede DuChene, OP: 1923-2016

Our Sister Mary Bede DuChene died peacefully this morning, April 19, 2016, at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Trenton, Mich., in 1923 and named Veronica Agnes, the tenth of 12 children born to William and Agnes Dubry DuChene. She made her profession of vows in 1944 at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield.

Sister M. Bede gave her life as an educator, school principal, and librarian, sharing her love of learning with children of all ages at schools in Springfield, Farmersville, Pana, Granite City, Decatur, and Litchfield in central Illinois, as well as in Chicago, Chicago Heights, and Aurora.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Bernard, Glenn, Paul, Elmer, Chester, Robert, and James, and her sisters, Irene Kohler, and Sister M. Cecilia and Sister M. Aquinas, both Dominicans of Springfield.

She is survived by one sister, Joan Skinker, Tuscon, Arizona, and six nieces.

Visitation will begin with a gathering ceremony at 3:00 p.m. and conclude at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield. A vigil service will be held at 4:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass follows at 6:30 p.m., Rev. Peter Witchousky, OP, celebrant.

Final Commendation and Burial: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 21, Sacred Heart Convent. Burial follows at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704.

Great Sr Mary Bede in discussion_sm

4 thoughts on “Sister Mary Bede DuChene, OP: 1923-2016”

  1. William DuChene

    Will miss you Sister Bede, wish we could have seen you one last time. Will always remember the visits you and Sister Aquinas would make to Michigan in the summers. Was something I always looked to a’s a kid. Usually ment everyone would be together either at Aunt Irene’s or on Uncle Paul’s. Our family sure is getting smaller. I wish you could have met Zachary and Spencer, you would have been amazed by them both.

  2. Hello, my name is Julia Wagner, I don’t know if this is the right Sister Mary Bede, I used to work with her at St. Bernardine Medical Center, in San Bernardino, CA., around 1977-78, 79. She and Sister Zita came to my wedding. I’m sorry to hear she has passed away. PEACE BE WITH HER if this is the right Sister Bede. Thank you.

    1. Sister Elizabeth Murphy
      Sister Beth Murphy, OP

      Hi Julia! Our Sister M. Bede was never located in San Bernardino, CA. Thank you for your condolences, in any case.

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