Sister Teresa Ann Walsh

EMMITSBURG, Maryland -1/06/2010    A Mass of Christian burial was offered for Sister Teresa Ann Walsh, Daughter of Charity, at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday January 12, 2010, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.  Sister died Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at Villa Saint Michael in Emmitsburg, where she resided for 3 years.  She was 83 years of age and 55 years of vocation.

Sr. Teresa Ann was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Anna Irene Connell and Richard Francis Walsh. She was the sixth of seven children, having three brothers and three sisters, and said that she benefited from the wisdom of her older siblings in her tight-knit family.

Sr. Teresa Ann attended St. Martin of Tours grammar school and Little Flower High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she graduated in 1943. She attended St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia.   She received her nursing degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC in 1953, where she concentrated on pediatrics and social work. Sister entered and completed the Seminary (novitiate) in 1954 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Emmitsburg, Maryland. In 1967 Sister received a master’s degree in nursing administration for obstetrics and mother and child care.   Sister was a member of the American Nurses Association, the MNA, Sigma Theta Tau, Southern Perinatal Association, and the National Perinatal Association. Sister published an article in the Hospital Progress, called Pediatric Record, in April 1961.

Sister Teresa Ann worked over 30 years as a nurse caring for mothers and children. She also taught and supervised nurses. Patients found an advocate in Sister, especially mothers of stillborn babies. She established a yearly memorial service which continues today.

Sister’s first mission was at the Carney Hospital in Dorchester, Massachusetts, from 1955 until 1960, where Sister was a nurse supervisor in the pediatric and maternity wards. Sister worked at the Astor Home in Rhinebeck, NY from 1960 to 1963. In Saginaw, Michigan, Sister worked at St. Mary’s Hospital from 1963 to 1965.   In September, 1967 Sister was a nurse instructor at St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland providing practicum experience for the students at Providence Hospital in Washington, DC. In 1971, Sister returned to nursing at Villa Louise in Timonium, Maryland for a year and then became the Maternity Ward supervisor at Sacred Heart Hospital in Cumberland, Maryland until 1976. In 1975 Sister worked two weeks at a Seton hospital in California where the nurses went on strike. She put in 12 hour days in the emergency room and was happy to help the patients that would have been turned away due to the strike.  Sister Teresa Ann worked at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland from 1976 until 1985 as a nurse supervisor.

Sister also enjoyed ministering in parishes. Sister saw Christ’s face in those she helped in her ministries at Our Lady of the Valley in Gloverville, South Carolina from 1985 to 1990 and St. Martin’s Parish in Baltimore, Maryland from 1990 to 1999. Sister utilized her nursing skills to help those who were poor and in need of medical care and training. Sister believed that the best way to offset poverty was education and worked hard to help people to obtain their GEDs and attend literacy training.  

Sister’s last mission brought her back to the Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton where she worked as the Sacristan from 2000 to 2006. Sister retired to Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg in August 2006 and enjoyed keeping in touch with friends, family, former coworkers and former students. 

Sister Teresa Ann remarked that she enjoyed all the ministry opportunities she experienced, as they provided experiences for her to grow, assist others and make friends. Friendships were very important. Being able to converse warmly and deeply with friends provided a guide which she followed in all her ministries. During her lifetime, Sister enjoyed keeping active with gardening, being known for her tomatoes, time with friends, and praying and reflecting on her faith. Her prayer card read “You’re nearer God’s heart in a garden, than anywhere else on earth.”     

Sister is survived by her sister, Anna May Cutitta (Charlottesville, VA), brother Ed Walsh and his wife Marion (Langhorne, PA), sister-in-law Margaret Walsh (Philadelphia, PA) and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews, and many friends and former students.

Memorial contributions in memory of Sr. Teresa Ann may be made to the Daughters of Charity Support Fund for the Elderly and Infirm Sisters, 333 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, Maryland, 21727.