Sr. Mary Joseph Weigand, OP

Sister Mary Joseph Weigand, 91, a Dominican Sister of Springfield, died August 15, 2015. She was given the name Helena Marie by her parents, Arthur and Clara Duncheon Weigand. Born in Beardstown, Ill., she joined the Springfield Dominicans in 1949. Sister Mary Joseph was a math educator and a pioneer teacher or principal at three Illinois schools. Her first mission was the newly established St. Bernadette Parish School in Evergreen Park. In 1958, she taught math at the new Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights. Then in 1962, she became the founding principal of Rosary High School in Aurora. She alternated her service at Rosary and Marian over a span of 45 years, serving as principal at Rosary 1962-1970, then at Marian 1970-1980. She returned as assistant principal at Rosary 1980-2003. She also taught at St. John High School, Carrollton; St. Paul, Odell; and Sacred Heart Academy, now Sacred Heart-Griffin, Springfield. Sister Mary Joseph was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary. She is survived by several cousins. Visitation: A visitation will be held from 3:30-6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield. A vigil service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Rev. Peter Witchousky, OP, presiding. Final Commendation: 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Sacred Heart Convent. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.