Springfield Dominican Sister Regina Marie Bernet, OP, died suddenly, Jan. 14, at Sacred Heart Convent. She was born in Springfield in 1934 to Albert and Jennie (Otto) Bernet and baptized Marilyn Ann. She joined the Dominicans in 1954 and professed her vows in 1955 at Sacred Heart Convent in Springfield.

With her customary gentleness and patience, Sister Regina Marie influenced countless children and adults over a lifetime of ministry as an educator, art therapist, counselor, and spiritual guide. For 35 years, she was principal of or taught in parochial schools in Chicago, Evergreen Park, Decatur, Irwin, Elgin, Algonquin, and Springfield. For five years, she was regional director for Rainbows for All God’s Children and spent several of those years as director of sisters in temporary vows. She then employed her art therapy degree and certification in gerontology to counsel and guide her Dominican Sisters transitioning to retirement and to accompany women and men incarcerated in central Illinois prisons.

Sister Regina Marie was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Robert and Richard Bernet. She is survived by her brother, Eugene (Kathie) Bernet, and her sisters-in-law, Betty (Robert) Bernet, and Rita (Richard) Bernet, all of Springfield. She will be missed as well by her many nieces, nephews, friends, and Dominican Sisters.

A private Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at Sacred Heart Convent on Jan. 18. A private burial was held at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery on Jan. 19. A memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Convent at a later date.

Memorials to honor the memory of Sister Regina Marie may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704.

The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister Regina Marie were served by Butler Funeral Home, Springfield.