Sr. Theresa Calviello, SFP
April 23, 1936 – March 30, 2020
Sr. Theresa was a joy-filled woman who greeted each day with a happy “Alleluia” and ended each conversation with a “We pray for one another.” If friendliness is a virtue, Sr. Theresa excelled in it. By her own admission, she loved talking with people. Theresa was born to Vincent and Grace Calviello on April 23, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY. She was baptized at St. Rosalia Regina Pacis Church in Brooklyn, and both she and her older brother, Vincent, attended the Catholic Elementary School there and went on to graduate from St. Brendan High School, also in Brooklyn. Theresa’s father died when she was 10 years old, and her brother Vincent and her mother became Theresa’s whole world. She was devoted to her family for the rest of her life.
Theresa met the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor during her high school years, and was very impressed by Sr. Nancy Daniel, who was the Vocation Director at the time. Through her mentoring, Theresa entered the Congregation on August 15, 1955 in Warwick, NY, receiving the name Sr. Grace Vincent, in honor of her parents. She made her 1st Profession of Vows on March 8, 1958 and her Perpetual Profession on September 8, 1963. Initially, she was a quiet person, but she blossomed within the setting of Franciscan life, and God’s love bloomed and burst forth. Her joyful and cheerful attitude enabled her to make lifelong friends where ever she went. Sr. Theresa’s main desire was to be of service to others, and she was willing to do whatever the Community asked of her. She served in both the Dietary and Housekeeping departments at St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick and at Frances Schervier Home and Hospital in the Bronx. During this time, she attended Brainerd School of Practical Nursing and became licensed as a Practical Nurse. After graduation, Sr. Theresa accepted the challenge of moving to the mid-west to Pierz, MN as a nurse, where she remained for several years. From there, she moved to St. Mary Hospital in Hoboken, NJ where she remained for over 30 years; working both in the hospital and in the Center for Family Health, which served the poor and immigrant population pouring into Hoboken at the time. This square-mile city became home and Sr. Theresa became a friend and advocate for employees and patients alike. She loved meeting people and greeting store clerks and restaurant servers with inquiries about their life and their career goals, and made friends of every-one she met. Long walks through the town and up the hill to the beautiful, still green grounds of Steven’s Institute kept her active and in good health. During these years, the aging process took its toll on the health of Sr. Theresa’s mother. After a fall, Theresa began living between home in Brooklyn and Hoboken; alternating between working at the hospital for a couple of days a week and caring for her mother during the other days. In 2002, Sr. Theresa retired from nursing, but her caring nature would not let her sit back and rest. When the Convent closed at St. Mary Hospital, she opted to live at a low-income Senior Housing building in Hoboken. Here, her passion for friendship and service blossomed into doing errands and shopping for the other Seniors in the building who had a more difficult time getting around.
Sr. Theresa was so beloved, that watching a St. Patrick’s or Labor Day parade with her was like being next to a celebrity, with many of the marchers waving to her and calling her by name.
By 2009, Sr. Theresa was one of the last Sisters living in Hoboken, and she decided to move to Warwick, NY to Mt. Alverno Convent to reside with St. Francis community. Reunited with her dear Sister-friends, Sr. Theresa made herself at home, again becoming a familiar figure on the streets of Warwick and greeting everyone on the way. She also was able to visit the Sisters in Schervier Pavilion more frequently, and brought a smile to everyone’s face when she appeared.
As the number of Sisters diminished, Sr. Theresa grieved her losses and set her sights westward, relocating to Cincinnati in July, 2017. While here, though her physical decline limited her mobility, her spirits and talents soared as she discovered new abilities within herself, taking advantage of the many activities, programs and craft classes offered to the Sisters on the Magnificat Floor. Sr. Theresa learned to paint and draw, and sang her heart out with guitarists and pianists alike.
Sr. Theresa maintained connections with her family, her sister-in-law Judy, her nephew David and her niece Susan. She spoke frequently of David and his 3 children; delighted by their adventures and following their progress in school. She also continued her ministry of communication, writing and calling to stay in touch with friends and offer encouragement and joy to those she knew who lived alone.
Sr. Theresa’s passing surprised us all. She had recently been hospitalized, but there had been no indication that she had been communicating with God on a deeper level during this time. Early in the morning on March 30, she heard the Voice of her Beloved calling to her, and she quietly left us. Only the words of her usual way to end any conversation comforts us – “Let us pray for one another.” We know we have a strong advocate in heaven.
Sr. Jo-Ann Jackowski, SFP
Sr. Theresa -We Pray For Each Other
However was it possible
that such a pint-sized frame
Held gushers filled with energy
that very few could tame.
So full of words and smiles and faith,
so full of life and light,
And just to watch her share a song —
oh, what a happy sight!
She shared her light and lifted us,
and now it’s yours and mine
To boldly live and share our light —
let it shine, let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine!
The following are some testimonials from our Sisters who remember with affection Sr. Theresa Calviello:
Early in my religious life, I had the privilege to live with Sr Theresa, who I experienced as being kind, giving and thoughtful. Over the years, I saw these qualities of her life grow only deeper. She had the gift, to welcome others into her life and invite them to be nourished by her faithful friendship. She knew no stranger, always eager to know the other. Theresa was always an encourager and ever thankful for all of life. Her inner light will be missed among us. Sr. Marilyn Trowbridge, sfp
Communication was Sr. Theresa’s great gift. She regularly telephoned people who were alone. Sr Theresa frequently wrote notes of encouragement to people in need. She was at her best on the check-out line in the super-market. Sr Theresa had a special connection with the young cashiers. She asked their names and current level of education they were involved in and promised prayers for their success. Sr. Mary Veronica Donohue, sfp
Sr. Theresa was a simple, sunny person. She had a big heart, she made you feel welcomed and appreciated. She was a Sister with deep faith and great trust in God. I remember with affection her love for Italy and her faithful request to sing together “Tu scendi dalle stelle – You come down from the stars”: she told me that it reminded her of the times when she was young and her family. I am sure that now she can sing it from Paradise and remember us all with affection! Sr. Giannica, sfp
Sr. Theresa defined the beauty of simplicity. Her demeanor, her smile, her greetings, her prayers were so simple and sincere. She lived life in the simple lane. She simply had many friends and people who loved her and delighted to be ” in touch” with her. She remembered and celebrated the birthday or anniversary of many with a greeting card and God’s blessings… Theresa’s thoughtfulness and sisterly concern for for the well-being of others is an inspiration for me. Thank you, Theresa, for all of the life’s lessons you taught me.
Theresa will be remembered and missed. Sr. Karen J. Hartman, sfp
