Sister Mary Joseph Weigand, a Dominican Sister of Springfield, died Aug. 15 at age 91.

She was given the name Helena Marie by her parents, Arthur and Clara Duncheon Weigand. Born in Beardstown, she joined the Springfield Dominicans in 1949.

Sister Mary Joseph was a math teacher 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 from 1962-1970 and then at Marian from 1970-1980. She returned as assistant principal at Rosary from 1980-2003. She also taught at Sacred Heart Academy (now Sacred Heart-Griffin High School) in Springfield; at St. John High School in Carrollton; and at St. Paul School in Odell.

Sister Mary Joseph was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary. She is survived by several cousins.

A funeral Mass for Sister Mary Joseph was celebrated at Sacred Heart Chapel on Aug. 18, with Father Peter Witchousky, OP, presiding. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.

The Dominican Sisters and the family of Sister Mary Joseph were served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home in Springfield.