Springfield Dominican Sister Doris Taylor died Dec. 31, 2016 at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Eldred in 1933 to John F. and Freda (Gehlhausen) Taylor. She made her profession of vows in 1953 at Sacred Heart Convent in 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, before beginning a 33-year mission in Peru. There she served as a teacher and pastoral minister in La Oroya, 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.

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.

A visitation and prayer service was held on Jan. 5 at Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent. A funeral Mass was also held that evening in Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Father Peter Witchousky, OP, as celebrant. Morning Prayer and Final Commendation took place on Jan. 6 at Sacred Heart Convent. Burial followed at Roselawn Memorial Park.

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

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