Springfield Dominican Sister Norma Somers died October 31, 2024, in the 75th year of her religious profession, at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in 1929 in Ivesdale, Ill., to John and Margaret (nee Cain) Somers and baptized Norma Ann at St. Joseph Church there. She made her profession of vows in 1949 at Sacred Heart Convent.
For 40 years, Sister Norma was an educator and parochial school principal. She served in Chicago, Jerseyville, Matteson, Jacksonville, and Quincy. In 1989, she was elected to leadership for the congregation and served two terms, then spent one year in Kosice, Slovak Republic. There she taught English to the Slovak Dominican Sisters and updated them on the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Thereafter, for 17 years, she managed the congregation’s fleet of vehicles while serving in multiple other roles. She was administrative assistant for The Springfield Project and, consecutively, pastoral minister in Shelbyville, Decatur, and at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Springfield.
Sister Norma was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mary (Joe) Feeney and Therese (John) Grady, and their spouses. She is survived by her sister, Geraldine Somers, many beloved nieces and nephews; dear friends; and her Dominican Sisters.
Visitors are welcome; Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704. Visitation will begin with a prayer service.
Mass of Christian Burial: 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Dominican Father Robert Kelly, celebrant.
Wake and Mass livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/
Burial 10:00 a.m. Wed. Nov. 6, Roselawn Memorial Park. Livestreamed on Facebook at springfieldop.org/livestream/.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister Norma may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.
The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister Norma are served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.
Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.
