Sr. Virginia Dever, OP

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, MN, 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. and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Springfield Dominican Sisters M. Bride Quinn and M. Jerome Quinn. Visitation: 4:00 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St. Visitation will begin with a prayer service. Morning Prayer and Funeral Mass: 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017, followed by Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at the convent chapel with Father Peter Witchousky, OP; celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL. 62704.