Sr. Mary Frances Gorman, OP

Springfield Dominican Sister Mary Frances Gorman, OP, died peacefully on Sunday June 20, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Aurora in 1949, to Thomas and Mary Alice Lawrence Gorman. She joined the Dominicans in 1967 and professed her vows in 1969 at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield.

Sister Mary Fran, who for a time was known as Sister Thomas Mary, gave the first 16 years of her religious life to teaching primary students at Illinois’ Catholic schools in Mendota, Jacksonville, Morrisonville, Mt. Sterling, and Maryville, and then 8th grade in Evergreen Park. In 1986 she shifted to pastoral ministry, first as DRE and liturgist in Glen Carbon from 1986 to 1991, then at the religious education center in Arcola. In 1993 she became a pastoral associate at St. Therese Parish, Jackson, Miss. Returning to Springfield in 1997, she assisted in the computer lab at Cathedral and then at Sacred Heart Griffin where for three years she assisted in the computer lab and taught theology part time while developing her interest in the creative arts. From 2001 until 2018, when her health required a step back from active ministry, she was the resident potter at Jubilee Farm in New Berlin and enjoyed creating and nurturing creativity in others. She taught classes at the Springfield Art Association and was a dedicated past president and member of the Dominican Institute for the Arts.

Sister Mary Fran was preceded in death by her parents and her brother John. She is survived by her sisters, Nancy (Ray) Bagley/Gorman and Virginia (Paul) Ledesma; her brothers Thomas (Theresa), David (Dzintra), Harry (Connie), Jay, Don (Jana), Joe, and Bob (Gwen); and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

Cremation will be provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield. Visitation begins with a prayer service. Visitors are welcome and masks are required.

Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Dominican Father Michael DeTemple, celebrant, officiating.

Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021, at Calvary Cemetery.

Mass and graveside services will be livestreamed HERE

Memorials to honor the memory of Sister Mary Fran may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.

The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister Mary Fran are being served by Butler Funeral Home – Springfield, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield.