Sr. William Bernard Cooney, OP

Sister William Bernard Cooney, OP, 84 of Sacred Heart Convent, died at 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2001 at the Motherhouse in Springfield. Sister was born in Springfield on June 17, 1917 the daughter of William and Florence Fitzpatrick Cooney. She entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters in 1935 and pronounced her religious vows in 1936. Sister William Bernard devoted 57 years to ministering in elementary and secondary education and in administration in Aurora, Hampshire, Philo, Mt. Sterling, Cary, New Berlin, Chicago Heights, Rock Island and at Sacred Heart Academy and Sacred Heart Convent in Springfield. Sister also served at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson Mississippi before retiring to the Motherhouse in 1993. Sister William Bernard was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers: William, Bernard and John. She is survived by two brothers: Reverend Robert Cooney, C.S.V., Joseph Cooney; two sisters-in-law; fourteen nephews and eight nieces and her Dominican Sisters with who she lived and ministered for 66 years. Visitation will be at the Sacred Heart Convent Motherhouse from 3:30 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2001 with a Wake Service at 4:30 p.m. Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2001 at the Motherhouse with the Rev. Robert Cooney, CSV and Rev. Peter Witchousky OP celebrants. Burial Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2001 in Calvary Cemetery. The family of Sr. William Bernard Cooney, OP and her Dominican Sisters are being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.