Obituary of Sister Teresa Spence

June 23, 1921 – October 29, 2010 Sister Teresa Spence died peacefully at Bethany, Calgary on Friday, October 29, 2010 at the age of 89 years. Teresa was born on a farm in Halliday, Alberta, growing up with five brothers and three sisters. She entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis in Levi, PQ, and professed her religious vows in 1942. She returned to Western Canada where she completed teacher’s training. For the next 28 years Teresa ministered as a classroom teacher in Medicine Hat, Calgary, Moose Jaw and Edmonton. After retiring from teaching, she travelled rural Alberta as a religious education co-ordinator assisting the catechists and parents with the religious education of their children. Teresa had a great interest in helping people grow spiritually, through spiritual direction, scripture reflection and retreats. As a result, she became active in retreat ministry at Mt St. Frances in Cochrane, parish ministry in Calgary, retreat ministry, spiritual direction and Christian Life Community groups in Lethbridge, St. Albert, and Oliver, BC. Sister Teresa retired to St. John’s Senior Care Home, Calgary in 2005 and most recently to Bethany Calgary . Teresa will be remembered for her gentle spirit, as a woman desiring to assist people to grow spiritually, who encouraged them to use their God given gifts . In her own words: “my desire is to help others wherever I can and help them to be able to help themselves with the gifts they have.” Teresa will be lovingly remembered by her religious community; her sister, Sister Mary Spence, scsl, her brothers Tom (Win) and Bud (Pat) and numerous nieces and nephews. Teresa was predeceased by her parents William and Margaret (nee Bottoms), brothers Jack (Gwen), Ted (Joan), Louis, and sisters Rita (Jim) McDonald and Pat (Elmer) Babb. The Sisters of Charity of St. Louis extend deep gratitude to the nursing and pastoral care staff at Bethany for their compassionate care given to Sister Teresa during these past 6 months. If friends so desire, tributes may be made directly to L’Arche, 307 57 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2H 2T6, telephone: (403)571-0155, http://www.larchecalgary.org. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. John’s Convent (409- 10A Street NW) on Tuesday November 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, (640-19th Avenue NW) on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Sister Teresa Spence, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.