Sister Mary Therese Hennessey, SND
(Formerly Sister Mary Francis Therese)
Margaret Jane Hennessey
May 4, 1930 – November 12, 2025
Professed August 16, 1950
Margaret Jane Hennessey, born on May 4, 1930, was the youngest of four children of Ambrose and Helen (Powalski) Hennessey. The oldest, Kenneth, died in infancy. In her autobiography, Margie, as she was known, notes her family’s closeness and the special bond between herself and her two sisters. At St. Francis School she experienced the “growing pains” of making choices that would shape her adult life. Margie spent 4 years at Notre Dame Academy, Cleveland as an Aspirant, and became a postulant on February 2, 1948. At investment she received the name Francis Therese, honoring her devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux.
Having completed two years of study at St. John College, Cleveland, Sister Therese was missioned to St. Mary School, Warren, in 1952 as a 5th grade teacher. Over the next 26 years, she ministered at 14 different schools in the intermediate grades. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from St. John College, Cleveland, OH in 1957, and a master’s degree in education from Loyola University, Chicago, IL in 1966. Besides St. Mary, Warren, she served at St. Joseph, Youngstown; St. Joseph, Randolph; and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Austintown, all in the Youngstown Diocese. In the Diocese of Cleveland, she taught at St. Michael School; St. Therese of Avila, and St. Thomas the Apostle School, Sheffield Lake; St. Helen, Newbury; Holy Redeemer, St. Stephen, St. Vitus, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Saint Francis, all in Cleveland. From 1969-73, she was principal at Our Lady of Lourdes, Cleveland. She spent a year at Our Lady of Victory School in Washington, D.C., where she taught grade 8.
In 1978, Sister Mary Therese began work as a Nurses’ Aide in the Chardon Healthcare Center. Her interest in nursing led her to Marymount School of Practical Nursing in Garfield Heights; she was certified as an LPN in 1982. For more than 30 years she ministered to the sisters in the Chardon Healthcare Center in various capacities, most of which were direct patient care. Calm, capable, and compassionate, she helped each sister feel at ease. For ten years, she was the Pharmacy Nurse. She often accompanied sisters to their medical appointments, serving as a patient advocate and encouraging all the sisters to healthful living. When she retired from active nursing duties, she volunteered at the SND Prayer Line, answering calls and recording the intentions. For several years she assisted at the WomenSafe Resale Shoppe in Chesterland.
This past summer, Sister Mary Therese celebrated the 75th anniversary of her profession as a Sister of Notre Dame—her Jubilee of Joy. Now she knows the fullness of joy in God’s presence forever.
The Mass of Christian Burial for Sr. Mary Therese Hennessey will be celebrated on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH. It will be live-streamed here. Visitation will be from 9:30 until Mass begins.
To make a donation in memory of Sister Mary Therese, please click here.
