Springfield Dominican Sister Margaret Therese Hebert, OP, died Oct. 6 at Sacred Heart Convent in Springfield. She was born in Pana in 1952, to Noel and Mary Louis (Fullerton) Hebert, and baptized Margaret Louise at St. Patrick Church. She joined the Dominicans in 1973 and professed her vows in 1976 at Sacred Heart Convent.

Primary school teaching, pastoral ministry, spiritual direction, and the craft of woodworking were, each in turn, central to her life. Early in her religious life she taught primary grades at Catholic schools in Springfield, Hampshire, Chicago, Aurora, Philo, and Rantoul, in Illinois. After completing studies in spirituality and spiritual direction, she ministered as a spiritual director at Benincasa Dominican Renewal Center, then became pastoral associate for a cluster of parishes in Auburn, Divernon, and Waverly. From 2000 to 2007 she was pastoral associate and then parish director for three rural parishes in the diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin: Holy Family-St. William, Wittenberg; St. Anthony, Tigerton; and St. Mary, Marion.

From 2011 to 2016 she assisted her Dominican Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent and cared for her parents. In 2017 she furthered her ministry as woodworker at the Creative Arts Center, Jubilee Farm in New Berlin. She remained active as a spiritual director and was pleased to serve as a sponsor for several Springfield Dominican associates.

Sister Margaret Therese was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Therese. She is survived by her brothers, Philip (Mary Jo), Mark, Paul, John (Patsy) and Joseph (Marci) Hebert; many loving nieces and nephews; and dear friends.

Private burial was held at Roselawn Memorial Park on Oct 9. A Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Convent at a later date.

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

The family was served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield.