Springfield Dominican Sister M. Gael Daley died March 27, 2024, at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in 1932 in Springfield, IL, to Thomas and Ella (nee Schlitt) Daley and baptized Joan Christine at Blessed Sacrament Church. She made her profession of vows in 1952 at Sacred Heart Convent.
After beginning ministry teaching primary grades at schools in Bradley and Evergreen Park, IL, Sister M. Gael embarked on a long career teaching Latin. She did this for eight years at Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, where she also taught theology. She moved in 1967 to Springfield to teach Latin and theology, and to assist the boarders at Sacred Heart Academy. In 1978, she returned to Marian Catholic, again teaching Latin and assisting with guidance counseling. From 1991-2000, Sister M. Gael was vocation director for the Dominicans, helping women discern their call to ministry and service in the Church. From 2000-2007, she spent her energies in pastoral ministry at several parishes in rural Wisconsin before returning to Springfield, where for the next decade she was a volunteer pastoral minister at several nursing homes and hospitals.
Sister M. Gael was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: William T. Daley, Robert Daley, and Mary Kathryn Daley Cullen. She is survived by her sister, Margaret (Ed) Stahoviak of Grayslake, IL; many beloved nieces and nephews and their families; and her Dominican Sisters.
Visitors are welcome; Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704. Visitation will begin with a prayer service.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Father Robert Kelly, OP, celebrant.
Wake and Mass will be livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/
Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Roselawn Memorial Park. Livestreamed on Facebook at @springfieldop.org
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister M. Gael may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.
The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister M. Gael are being served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.
