Sr. Doris Taylor, OP

Springfield Dominican Sister Doris Taylor died December 31, 2016 at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Eldred, Ill. in 1933 to John F. and Freda (Gehlhausen) Taylor. She made her profession of vows in 1953 at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield. Sister Doris, who was known as Sister M. Leona for a time, served 11 years as an elementary school teacher in Chicago, East Moline, and East St. Louis, Ill., before beginning a 33-year mission in Peru. There she served as a teacher and pastoral minister in LaOroya, Lima, and Llanopampa. Sister Doris returned to the U.S. in 1998 and after a sabbatical, ministered among Spanish-speaking people in Kentucky and in Freeport, Jacksonville, and Beardstown, Ill. Sister Doris was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Frances Schnelten; her brother, Eugene; and three nephews. She is survived by her sister, Gladys (John) Gutmann; and three nephews, six nieces, and their families. Visitation: 4:00 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe, Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service. Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Father Peter Witchousky, OP, celebrant. Morning Prayer and Final Commendation: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Sacred Heart Convent. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704.