Sister Mary Carolyn Englum, 85, a Springfield Dominican Sister for 65 years, died Oct. 26. An Illinois native, her parents Louis and Agnes Dugan Englum named her Barbara Ann when she was born in Paris, in 1930. She took the name Mary Carolyn at her first profession of vows in 1950.

Sister Mary Carolyn taught music for a total of 20 years at Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield with an interlude teaching music at Rosary High School in Aurora. In both places, she touched the lives of hundreds of students who passed through the choral programs or took private voice lessons. Early in her religious life she taught elementary school music in Springfield and Aurora. In 1987, she transitioned to liturgical ministry, serving at St. Patrick Parish, Kankakee, and later at Sacred Heart Convent.

Sister Mary Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law Kathleen and Bill Morrisey; and a nephew. She is survived by her nieces, Susan Rice, Cheryl Butler, and Lisa Morrisey; her nephew Tim Morrisey; and her great-nieces, Jesse and Jordan Rice.

A funeral Mass was held Oct. 29, at Sacred Heart Convent with Father Peter Witchousky, OP, presiding.

Final commendation was on Oct. 30, also at Sacred Heart Convent, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62704.

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