Marlborough – Sr. Therese Proulx, 85, (Sr. M. Rose Ursula), a Sister of St. Anne, died Dec. 14, 2020 in Alliance Health at Marie Esther Center in this city. Born in Sanford, Maine, she was the third daughter of eight children born to Francois and Rose Anna (Sevigny) Proulx.
She graduated from the former St. Ann Academy in Marlborough. After graduation, she joined the Sisters of St. Anne in Marlborough in the then newly established Formation House and pronounced vows in Lachine, Quebec, Canada at the Sisters of St. Anne Motherhouse.
Sister Therese was ever a woman of service. Upon her return to the United States, she spent the first years of ministry teaching and in administration in elementary schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Anne throughout New England. She taught in Worcester, Marlborough, and Newton, in Massachusetts and in Springvale, Maine. She became the Director of Development at Anna Maria College and was a Lecturer in Education at the college while also serving as a Resident Director.
Sister Therese earned a BA degree in Education from Anna Maria College, an MA degree in Education from Worcester State College (now University), Certification in Spiritual Direction from the Spiritual Life Institute in New York and a CPE from St. Elizabeth Hospital in Brighton. She served as a Pastoral Minister in the Diocese of Worcester and was appointed Vocation Director for the Sisters of St. Anne, St. Marie Province. She then gathered her many personal and professional gifts and experiences and spent 10 years as a missionary in Haiti.
During this time, she taught, did formation and vocation ministry, cared for the sick, and those in need, did farming and served in community leadership. Sister Therese was blessed with the gift of music and a lovely voice that enriched religious services, other events and her last days. She participated in area choral groups and Sister choruses. Her sense of humor did not falter, nor did her green thumb and her “jack of all trades’’ ability. Until she, herself, became a resident of the Marie Esther Health Center, Sister Therese served as the Administrative Assistant to the Administrator of St. Anne Convent and provided Pastoral Care in the Health Center.
In addition to her saddened religious family of the Sisters of St. Anne, Sr. Therese leaves to grieve her sister, Eva Proulx, her numerous and loving nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, extended family members, friends and former colleagues. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Fr. Roger, Dr Harvey, Alphonse, Andre, and Auxiliary Bishop Amedee Proulx, and her sister, Agnes (Ursuline Sister).
In accord with current restrictions due to the pandemic, burial services are private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne Retirement Fund, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA 01752, or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Collins Funeral Home, (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough.
