Sr. Stella Marie Miller, OP

Sister Stella Marie Miller, OP, died Friday, June 8, 2007, at Sacred Heart Convent, the motherhouse of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill. She was born Paulette Agnes, to Paul A. and Stella Chasco Miller on April 28, 1924, in Decatur, Ill., and joined the Dominicans in 1941, making her profession of vows as Sister Stella Marie on January 3, 1943. A graduate of Cathedral Grade School and Sacred Heart Academy, Sister Stella Marie dedicated her life to education. She taught or was principal in elementary schools for 43 years. Her first assignment was St. Michael School, Duluth, Minn., where she taught 1943-1947. She returned to Illinois and taught elementary school at St. Christina School, Chicago; St. Mary, Litchfield; St. Norbert, Hardin; St. Mary, Mt. Sterling; and Holy Angels, Aurora. In 1962 she began her first assignment at Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville, teaching sixth grade at Our Saviour School and art at Routt High School for six years. After four years teaching junior high at St. Bernadette School, Evergreen Park, she became principal of St. Thomas More Parish, Elgin, doubling as the 8th grade teacher, 1971-1977. She then taught at St. Patrick School in Springfield for three years before becoming principal and half-time 8th grade teacher at St. France Cabrini School in Springfield. Sister Stella Marie completed her long career as an educator at Routt High School where for eleven years she was librarian and art teacher. During Catholic Schools Week in 1993 the library at Routt was dedicated in her honor and now bears her name. She retired to the Dominican Sisters’ motherhouse after leaving Routt in 1997, and continued to minister for many years as assistant in the library at Sacred Heart Convent. Sister Stella Marie’s education included a bachelor’s in English from DePaul University and a master’s of education from the University of Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her only sibling, Sister Paula Marie Miller, OP, who resides at Sacred Heart Convent, and by her Springfield Dominican Sisters. The Dominican Sisters will gather to pray for Sister Stella Marie at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield. Visitation follows from 4- 7 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Convent, 10 a.m. on Monday, June 11, Father Peter Witchousky, OP, presiding. Internment services at Calvary Cemetery. The Dominican Sisters are being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St.