Sr. Therese Marie Lucassen

SISTER THERESE MARIE LUCASSEN, OSF

Born:            Helen Teresa Lucassen on August 24, 1927 in Bronx, NY

Died:            December 10, 2019, St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY

Parents:        Lucas and Helen (Nellie) Barrett, Bronx, NY

Sister Therese Marie Lucassen entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, on October 4, 1954, was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1955 and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1962.  As an Allegany Franciscan Sister for 65 years, she lived joyfully her call to reflect God’s love and mercy to all with whom she came in contact.

Sister attended elementary school at Sacred Heart in Bronx, NY and graduated from Cathedral High School in New York, NY. Sister Therese attended St. Elizabeth Teacher College in Allegany, NY, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in History from St. Bonaventure University.  She received her Masters of Science Degree in Education Administration from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. 

Sister Therese was an educator and principal in Congregational schools for close to 50 years, serving in New York, New Jersey, Virginia and North Carolina.  Sister Therese also served as Assistant Administrator for Perth Amboy Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Metuchen.  Following her service to the Diocese of Metuchen, Sr. Therese worked as a school secretary at St. Raphael’s and a part-time ESL teacher at Martin House Learning Center, both in Trenton, NJ.  Sister, also, volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center, Lawrenceville, NJ.

In 2015, Sister officially retired and was welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. 

Sister Therese is predeceased by her parents and sisters Nora Fitzpatrick and Mary Puchalski.  She is survived by her brother-in-law, Edward Fitzpatrick, and many nieces and nephews.

A Wake Service will be held on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 6:30PM in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse.  A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 10:30AM in the Chapel.  Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, New York.

The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, New York.   (For obituary and condolences, visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com)