Born January 20, 1917
Profession of Vows January 3, 1938
Entered into Eternal Life March 15, 2017
Springfield, Ill.—Springfield Dominican Sister Virginia Dever (Sister John Thomas) died March 15, 2017, at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Chicago, Ill., in 1917, to Peter and Anna Murray Dever. She made her profession of vows in 1938 at Sacred Heart Convent.
Sister Virginia spent her life as an educator, teaching students the length of Illinois from Granite City to Hampshire; Duluth, Minn.,and Hammond, La. One of her joys was teaching speech and drama at Sacred Heart Academy, Springfield, and at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights. Long past the usual age of retirement Sister Virginia was still engaged in teaching and pastoral service. She had a special fondness for St. Edward Parish, Chicago, from which she retired to Sacred Heart Convent in 2011.
Sister Virginia was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Muriel Powers, Geraldine Morton, Joan Schack, Barbara Dever, and Sister Mary Jerome Dever, OP, and her brothers James, John, Peter and William Dever. She is survived by her sister-in-law Marge (William) Dever, Arlington Heights, Ill., many nieces, nephews and cousins, including Springfield Dominican Sisters M. Bride Quinn and M. Jerome Quinn.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service: 4:00 p.m. vigil service with visitation until 6:30 p.m., Sunday, March 19, Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St. Morning prayer 9:00 a.m., Monday, March 20, followed by funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., convent chapel. Father Peter Witchousky, OP; celebrant. 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 Virginia are being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.
