Sister Theresa Derouin (Andrew Maria), 94, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Bethany Healthcare Center, Framingham, Mass., on February 26, 2017. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Andrew and Mary (St. George) Derouin.
Sr. Theresa entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Mary Parish, Southbridge, Mass. in 1941. She graduated from St. Mary High School, Southbridge and earned an A.B. degree from College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee and a Master’s degree in French Literature from Assumption College, Worcester. She also studied debate coaching at Marquette University.
Sr. Theresa was both teacher and debate coach in the Worcester Diocese at St. Louis High School, Webster; in the Providence Diocese at St. Catherine Academy, Newport; and in the Springfield Diocese at St. Mary High School, Westfield, St. Jerome High School/Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke, and St. Joseph High School, North Adams. Her final teaching assignment was at Cathedral High School, Springfield, where she served for twenty-three years. Throughout the years she remained active in professional associations of teachers of French and of debate coaches. She retired to Cathedral Convent in 1994, to St. Joseph Residence, Mont Marie in 2007 and Bethany Healthcare Center in 2014.
In addition to her Sisters in community, she is survived by her sister-in law, Maureen DeRouin of Auburn, Mass. and by several nieces and nephews.
All services for Sr. Theresa will take place in St. Joseph Chapel at Mont Marie, Holyoke on Friday, March 3, 2017. She will be waked starting at 9:00 a.m. with a prayer service at 9:45. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30. Burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.