Obituary of Sr. Therese Lynch CSJ

Latham- Sister Therese Lynch, CSJ, 101, died Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Sister Therese had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 76 years. Sister Therese, the former Beverly Lynch, was born in Englewood, New Jersey on September 13, 1910, daughter of the late James and Mary Agnes Powers Lynch. For 12 years, she worked as an executive secretary for American Surety Company in New York City. On March 19, 1936, Sister Therese entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Troy, NY, and professed final vows on August 15, 1941. Sister Therese received a bachelor's degree in English from The College of Saint Rose, a master's degree in educational psychology from Fordham University and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from The College of Saint Rose. In addition, she pursued post-graduate studies at Catholic University and Columbia University. For the first four years of her life as a Sister of St. Joseph, Sister Therese taught on the elementary and secondary levels in Syracuse, NY. In 1942, she began a 42-year career at The College of Saint Rose where she served as registrar, academic counselor, academic dean, vice president and interim president. During her retirement years, Sister Therese volunteered at Saint Rose in the admissions office and at St. Joseph's Provincial House in the treasurer's office. Sister Therese was a kind and gracious woman whose love gave strength to her family, whose example inspired others to make a difference and whose intelligence, foresight and resolution shaped both the Sisters of St. Joseph and The College of Saint Rose. Academic excellence and moral integrity were the hallmarks of Sister Therese's tenure in academia. A woman of faith and prayer, Sister Therese's profound spiritual rootedness was shown in her poetry which was published in numerous international periodicals and anthologies. While Sister Therese was endowed with extraordinary graces, she enjoyed nothing more than a quiet visit with dear friends. Her presence was an inspiration, and her absence will be deeply felt. Sister Therese is survived by a cousin, Marie Novotny, of Long Island, many dear friends and her beloved Sisters of St. Joseph, with special mention of her faithful friend and caretaker, Sister Jean Hart. In addition to her parents, Sister Therese was predeceased by her sister, Margaret O'Reilly, and many treasured friends in the Sisters of Sr. Joseph, especially Sister Emily Joseph Daly and Sister Jean Therese Owens. Sister Therese's funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Monday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of Virgins Cemetery on the Provincial House grounds. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Sunday, May 20, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Contributions in Sister Therese's memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com