Sister Mary Ellen Lacy, OP

Sister Mary Ellen Lacy, OP, 83, of Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Illinois, died at 5:55 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2002 at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in Springfield. Sister was born in Assumption, Illinois on December 23, 1918 to Walter and Ella Leahy Lacy. She entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters in 1937 and pronounced her vows in 1938. Sister Mary Ellen devoted 59 years to education. During most of these years she taught in elementary schools in Illinois: St. Francis, Jerseyville; Our Saviour, Jacksonville; St. Thomas, Newton; Sacred Heart, Granite City; Assumption, Ste. Marie; St. Dominic, Quincy; Holy Family, Decatur; Our Lady of Grace and St. Edward, Chicago. Sister also taught in Duluth, MN (Rosary) and at Sacred Heart both in Redlands and in San Diego, CA. From 1969-74, she ministered as a religion teacher from the Arcola and Carlinville catechetical centers. Beginning in 1981 she assisted in these high school libraries: Rosary, Aurora; Routt, Jacksonville; Marian, Chicago Heights; and Sacred Heart Griffin, Springfield. Sister Mary Ellen retired to the Motherhouse in December 1997. Sister was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers: William and Edward. She is survived by her sister: Ann Craft of Hamilton, MT.; two sisters-in-law, Esther Lacy of Pana and Marie Lacy of Assumption; several nieces and nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she lived and ministered for 65 years. Visitation will be at Sacred Heart Convent from 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. with a wake service beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2002. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 7:00 p.m. Burial service will be on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. in Calvary Cemetery. The family of Sister Mary Ellen Lacy, OP and her Dominican Sisters are being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.