Sister M. Xavier's Services
Visitation: 4:00 p.m.—6:15 p.m., Monday, December 16, 2019, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe St. in Springfield. Visitation begins with a prayer service.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m., Monday, December 16, 2019, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Dominican Father Peter Witchousky, celebrant.
Morning Prayer, Remembering, and Final Commendation: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel. 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.
Springfield Dominican Sister Mary Xavier Kelly died December 12, 2019, at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Ill. She was born in Wyoming, Ill., in 1929 to George and Sarah (Smith) Kelly, who named her Sarah Elizabeth. In 1950 she made profession of vows at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield.
Sister M. Xavier served as an elementary school teacher and/or principal for 52 years, teaching in the central Illinois communities of Granite City, Quincy, Rantoul, Springfield, Paris, and Hardin, and in the northern Illinois communities of Evergreen Park, Bradley, Elgin, Aurora, and Sauk Village. She was principal of Catholic elementary schools in Elgin, Rantoul, Paris, Hardin, and Sauk Village. She retired to Sacred Heart Convent in 2012.
She was fond of her Irish heritage and enjoyed sharing that love with others.
Sister M. Xavier was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Margaret Kelly, Sister Mary Clarentia (Helen) Kelly, OP; and Winifred Kelly, and her brothers Robert, Raymond, Joseph, and Bernard. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, friends, and her Dominican Sisters.
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