Sr. M. Wilma Smith, OP

Sister M. Wilma Smith, OP, 76 of Sacred Heart Convent died at 3:10 a.m. September. 9, 2003 at the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in Springfield. Sister was born in Langdon, North Dakota on January 21, 1927 to Sylvester and Edna Merriam Smith. She entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters in 1949 and professed her vows in 1950. Sister M. Wilma devoted the first eight years of her religious life to teaching in Catholic elementary parish schools: Cathedral in Springfield from 1951-1954; Sacred Heart in Redlands, CA and Holy Rosary in Denver, CO. From 1958-1962 she taught speech, English and drama at Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield; then from 1962-1978 she taught at Marian High School in Chicago Heights. After earning a masters in speech pathology, Sister M. Wilma ministered to adults and students as a speech pathologist in the Chicago Heights area at Marian High School and Happy Work Center (Steger) and in the Springfield area at Brother James Court, Sacred Heart Academy, St. Agnes, Little Flower, Christ the King and Cathedral. In 1984 when Sister became a LPN, she worked at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi and then at the Motherhouse. Six years later she moved to Sherman where she was a staff member at Villa Vianney for four years. Since 1994 Sister M. Wilma had continued to be involved in pastoral care in Navarino, WI the Motherhouse and Jubilee Farm in New Berlin until recently when she herself became a patient in the hospice program. Throughout her life, Sister M. Wilma was one who cared for others and approached life with a spirit of adventure as she looked for new ways to be of service. Sister was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by dear cousins, close friends and her Dominican Sisters with whom she lived and ministered for 54 years. Friends may call at Sacred Heart Convent Motherhouse from 3:30-7:00 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2003 with a Vigil Service at 4:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 12, 2003 at Sacred Heart Convent Motherhouse with Reverend Ralph Zetzl, OFM celebrant. Final Commendation and Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 13, 2003 with Reverend Peter Witchousky, OP celebrant. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. The family and Dominican Sisters of Sr. M. Wilma Smith, OP is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home 900 S. 6th St., Springfield