Sr Teresa

Sr. Teresa (Ann Josephine) Mahoney, our very own Sr. Tess, the youngest of 6 siblings, was born on September 20, 1936, in the Bronx, to Michael Mahoney and Nellie Healy, both Irish born, who met and then wed after having migrated to this country. Although considered circumstantially poor, Teresa’s family was rich in faith and industry, and a certain rigor in upbringing taught the children the experiences of self-discipline, unstinting generosity, hard work as blessing, and gratitude for the God-given gifts received. There was also the joy of fun, laughter, and Irish wit to brighten hearts, even when beset by life’s struggles. Sr. Teresa’s sister, Regina, preceded her into religious life, and the premature death of her mother, and her father’s subsequent return to Ireland, left Teresa at a crossroads. She very much enjoyed her work at an insurance agency, and dearly loved her best friends, but there was existing holiness and a deeper call; her brother Eugene became instrumental in bringing her to Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey, where she entered as a lay sister on April 25, 1957. She received the habit on February 3, 1958, and professed First Vows on August 5, 1959.

Abbey life was not easy for Tess. The silence, lack of camaraderie, and work exhaustion paled in comparison to the loneliness and anxiety she felt. Every day she would walk St Patrick’s hill, begging God to be with her, to help her and give her the necessary strength to carry on. These difficulties took a toll, prompting concern she might not be able to adequately live the life. Undaunted, she refused to give up. She made her final commitment as an oblate on January 6, 1966, and was ever to wear this designation proudly for the rest of her long life.

It is hard to imagine what life at Mt. St. Mary’s would have been without her. She brought joy, fun, laughter and not just a few tears – especially when Richard Clayderman was at the keys or Andrea Bocelli was singing. She was also a very wise woman, wise in the ways of reality, sin, and forgiveness. Her faith in Christ and His Cross was certain and unwavering. She loved Jesus’ cross and so loved her own, and her strength of purpose was unbounded, most especially in the light of carrying many crosses, not only her own but of others. Their pain evoked a profound sensitivity, understanding, and skilled her in being able to bring cheer and relief, even if temporary.It is believed she broke more bones in her body than anyone else in the community, yet every time, she rallied her ‘firm purpose of amendment’, getting back on her feet and once there, began again to serve in whatever capacity she was able, even adding a dance step or two whenever whimsey took her.  Her huge heart in an increasingly fragile body loved, as she perseveringly and patiently did little jobs for Jesus, no matter when asked, no matter the effort.Her family’s bond never broke. She held them steadfastly as she did us, grateful to God for the unending gifts we were to her. While recovering from her most recent bone-break, she unexpectedly died in her sleep on March 17, 2024, and efforts to revive her were blessedly unsuccessful, because God had already decided to take her to Himself on St. Patrick’s Day, with that eternal promise that ‘not one of her bones will be broken, ever again’.

Our loss is great, but God’s gain is greater; and He is happy as can be, to have her.