November 28, 1941 — April 3, 2025
Sister Theresa Mary Pietrzak, 83, a member of the Felician Sisters Congregation for 64 years, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, April 3, 2025 at Our Lady of the Angels Convent in Enfield, CT.
Theresa was born to John Ignatius and Helen Krug Pietrzak on November 28, 1941 in Mineola, NY. She was baptized, received her First Communion, and had her Confirmation St. Hedwig Parish Church, in Floral Park, NY. Her choice of St. Veronica as her confirmation saint was a sign of the compassion that she would continue to show throughout her life.
Theresa attended Jackson Avenue School for Grade 1 and St. Hedwig School for Grades 2-8. At a very young age, Theresa wanted to be a sister. She said, “I made up my mind in the eighth grade.”
Theresa was the oldest of four children. Terry (her name at home), Raymond, Maryann and Stephen enjoyed the beaches and ocean. Their dad took them clamming and they loved it. Terry learned her crochet skills from her mother. She was proud of her parents and had beautiful memories of a pilgrimage she made with them to St. Anne Shrine in Alberta, Canada. Ten years later, she would make a similar pilgrimage to St. Anne Shrine with her Felician sisters and visit the Canadian Expo in Toronto, Canada.
Sister Theresa spoke highly of her paternal grandmother who shared her deep love for God and Polish heritage and lived nearby.
Sister Theresa appreciated the long trips her family made to see her on ‘visiting days’ and festivals. She treasured the times she was able to be with her family. The last few years of her life, Sister Theresa was happy with visits from her siblings and their families. Special gifts of puzzles and clams that were caught, cleaned and frozen by her brothers brought back memories of years past.
Theresa entered the Aspirancy on August 28, 1955 and was accepted to Postulancy on August 1, 1959. On August 14, 1960 she was invested as a novice with the name Sister Mary Agnestine. She returned to her baptismal name later and was known thereafter as Sister Theresa Mary Pietrzak. Sister professed perpetual vows August 15, 1967.
Sister Theresa Mary studied at Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Massachusetts and the University of Hartford in Connecticut before earning her BA in 1969 from Elms. She taught at elementary schools in Webster, MA; Waterbury, CT; Windsor, CT; Simsbury, CT and Torrington, CT; and Nashua, NH from 1962-1973.
Sister Theresa Mary spent six years (1973-1979) at the Felician Sisters’ Generalate in Rome, Italy teaching English as a second language and as a house nurse.
Upon her return to the States, Sister Theresa Mary studied Gerontology at Madonna College, Livonia, MI as a full-time student for a year (1978-1979) before returning to Holy Family Infirmary where she would continue to serve from 1980 -1998 in various roles – nurse’s aide, director of infirmary, podiatry care, care center sacristan, and activities and services coordinator.
From 2015- 2018 Sister Theresa Mary served as patient visitor and activities assistant at St. Anne’s Home in Greensburg, PA.
In 2018, Sister returned to OL of the Angels Convent. She lovingly took into her care the Holy Family Care Center Chapel, always decorating it to meet the changing seasons of the liturgical calendar. She was grateful to the friends who assisted her, especially Laura Beckman and those who donated plants for Easter and Christmas. Devoted to the Divine Mercy of God, Sister led a Saturday adoration and prayer time.
Sister had monthly arts and crafts activities with the residents at St. Francis. She also planned and carried out projects with the sisters and friars at the convent.
Sister managed a little card room which also served as a workspace for making and selling handmade cards. Her latest cards were embossed. She gifted all the convent sisters with some before Christmas of 2024. Sister Theresa supported the Haiti and Kenya missions with card sales.
Sister’s special interests and hobbies were missions, photography, cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting and making cards. She enjoyed a few special outings to Goshen, MA where the sisters have a cabin on a pond. Sister always enjoyed being in nature and taking photographs.
As Sister Theresa Mary suffered more from her health issues, she learned that she had slow- moving pancreatic cancer.
Eating became difficult. Sisters provided her with a special egg drop soup that she liked. The kitchen crew was very solicitous to her needs.
Sister allowed herself to be prayed for so that Blessed Mary Angela might have a miracle that would further her cause for canonization. Sisters, friars, Felician Associates and friends in other states kept her intention in prayer. On April 2nd, the sisters and friars ceased praying for the miracle because it was determined that another form of prayer (vigil before death) would shortly begin for Sister.
She prayerfully and bravely accepted her coming death a few months earlier, saying, “I am not dying, but moving toward everlasting life.” Sister Theresa Mary’s family members, community, nursing team, employees in all departments, and friends and spiritual director surrounded her with love from far and near. She delighted in praying with others. She embraced her cross and looked upon roses that were given to her and reminded everyone of her namesake. Sister Theresa Mary’s death was pronounced at 1:36 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2025 by the hospice nurse.
Two periods of visitation were held. Monday, April 7, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. followed by a Transitus Service and sharing of memories which included a short eulogy composed by her sister Maryann Knowles. The second began at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 and preceded the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial that was concelebrated by convent chaplain Fr. Andrew Santamauro, OFM, Conv. and Fr. Justin Ross, OFM, Conv. at the chapel at Our Lady of Angels Convent. Sisters, friars, partners in ministry, and friends including Felician Associates and residents at St. Francis Residence were present. Due to distance and health, many family members and other friends attended the Mass through livestreaming. Some were from as far as California, Alaska and Europe.
The internment followed at St. Jeanne Jugan Cemetery (formerly known as St. Adalbert Cemetery) Enfield, CT. Dinner was served in the convent dining room.
