A funeral Mass was celebrated for Ursuline Sister Darlene (Margherita) Fulgenzi Oct. 20 at St. Joseph Church in Springfield, Ill. Sister Darlene died Oct. 11 at St. Andrew's at Francis Place in Eureka. She was 79.

Born in Springfield, Ill., she attended St. Joseph elementary school and Ursuline Academy in Springfield, graduating in 1956. She entered the Ursuline Sisters in July 1956 and professed vows in January 1959. She earned a bachelor's degree in classical languages from the College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, N.Y., and a master's degree in Latin from St. Louis University.

Her ministry included teaching elementary grades at Sts. Peter and Paul in Alton, Ill., and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Galveston, Texas. She also taught high school at Marquette High School in Alton and at Ursuline Academy in Kirkwood. She taught at Ursuline Academy from 1964-74 and 1978-79.

She served as the prioress of Ursuline communities in Springfield, Alton, Kirkwood and Galveston. In her semi-retirement, she was the assistant archivist for the Alton Ursuline community.

She is survived by two brothers, James and Ferdinand, both of Springfield; and a sister, Donna Putting of Tucson, Ariz.