Submitted by: Dan Rich

Sister M. Francis Therese Smith CSC

Oct. 25, 1910 - May 3, 2005

South Bend Tribune  5/4/2005

Sister M. Francis Therese (Catherine Suzanne Smith), CSC, 94, was born in Killenkere, Ireland, to the late Philip J. Smith and Mary Ann Farrelly Smith. She is survived by one sister, Marie B. Smith; one sister-in-law, Ann (John) Smith of Arizona; nieces, Gail (Daniel) Gallagher, Donna (James) Killoran, NY, Veronica (Charles) Whitehead, NJ; and nephews, John (Dianne) Smith, Patrick (Janet) Smith, NY, Lt. Comdr. Thomas (Sue) Smith, CA, Phil (Marsha) Smith, NJ; cousins, Dr. Gail Delany and Dr. Richard M. Delany; and many friends.

Sister Francis Therese received her early education in New York and Indiana. She attended Saint Mary's College and received a bachelor of arts degree from Dunbarton College of Holy Cross, D.C.; her master of arts from Catholic University of America, DC, and post-graduate classes from Fordham University and New York University, New York.

After entering the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Cross, Sister Francis Therese became a teacher and taught elementary education, 1936-1957, in Washington, D.C., New York City, NY, Alexandria, VA, and Riverdale, MD. She moved to secondary education, 1957-1967, in Lancaster Pa., Riverside, NJ, Alexandra, VA, and Batavia, NY. Sister cared for her mother for some 17 years, returning to the Congregation in 1984. She was an elementary ed office assistant at St. Thomas the Apostle School, 1985-1988, and was director of liturgy for that parish 1988-1990. Sister then became a parish visitor in Belle Harbor, NY, until she returned to Saint Mary's Convent, Notre Dame, IN, in 1995. She remained active in the events of the convent and became a member of the Ministry of Prayer until her death. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry with the Poor Fund, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN 46556.

Reception of the Body and wake will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 6, 2005, in Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.