Sr. Agnes Clare Graham, OP

Sister Agnes Clare Graham, OP, 105, of Sacred Heart Convent, passed away at 6:1 0 p.m. Thursday, October 3, 2002 at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in Springfield. Sister Agnes Clare was born in January 18, 1897 in Springfield the daughter of James W. and Catherine Wallace Graham. She entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters in 1919 and pronounced her vows in 1920. Sister Agnes Clare, a 1915 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy (Sacred Heart Griffin), Springfield, devoted 55 years to the Academy as librarian, serving from 1927 to 1983 with one year off (1941-1942) to complete her studies in library science at Rosary College in River Forest. Earlier from 1923 to 1927, Sister taught second grade at Holy Rosary Catholic School, in Duluth. She retired to the Motherhouse in 1983 where her primary ministry was graciously extending hospitality with her witty human-interest stories of lived history to all her visitors. Having first visited Sacred Heart Convent at the age of 5, Sister Agnes Clare had known her Springfield Dominican Sisters for 100 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers: Hugh J., James J., Arthur F., and Charles W. Graham and two sisters: Mary A. and Helen K (Nell). She is survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and her Dominican Sisters with whom she lived and ministered for 84 years. Friends may call at Sacred Heart Convent Motherhouse from 3:30-7:00 p.m. Monday, October 7, 2002 with a Vigil Service at 4:30 p.m. Concelebrated Funeral Mass will be at 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 7, 2002 with Reverend. John Gerlach, OP and Reverend. Peter Witchousky, OP celebrants at Sacred Heart Convent. The Final Commendation and Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at Sacred Heart Convent. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. The family and Dominican Sisters of Sister Agnes Clare Graham, OP is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.