Sister Mary Louise Durbin, OSF (age 87) died on December 25, 2024, at St. Francis Convent, Springfield, IL.

Sister Mary Lou was born in Ramsey, IL on March 1, 1937, the daughter of Bernard and Mary Elizabeth (Miller) Durbin. She entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on September 8, 1954, and professed her first vows on June 13, 1957.

Sister Mary Lou was a 1962 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Nursing. She served as a nurse at HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin and nursing homes, specializing in long-term facility care. She also served at St. Francis Convent as a nurse from 1978-87 and as a health service assistant from 1998-2012. In addition, she was a reading tutor for first-grade students at Riverton Elementary School, Riverton, IL, from 2011-13.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Leland Leon Durbin, and a sister, Rose Marie Martie. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Leland Leon Durbin, and a sister, Rose Marie Martie. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Virginia Durbin, and several nieces and a nephew along with their families, as well as her Franciscan Sisters with whom she shared her life for 70 years.

The Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4-7 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 29. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Richard Chiola on Monday, December 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel with burial in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery at St. Francis Convent.

Feature story from 2007

Staab Funeral Home will oversee arrangements.