Obituary of Rose Therese Shaw

Born: Gloria Irene Shaw, July 13, 1927 in Portland, Maine. Died: January 13, 2016 in the St. Clare Community of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. Daughter of John E. and Rose Maguire Shaw of Portland, Maine. She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1946 and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1953. Throughout the blessings and challenges of 70 years, Sister Rose Therese devotedly lived the Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. In her hometown of Portland, Sister Rose Therese attended grade school at St. Patrick's and graduated in 1945 from Cathedral high school. As a young woman, she had been discerning a vocation for religious life and, after graduation, chose to enter into ministry with the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. Sister soon began college courses at St. Elizabeth Teacher's College (now a part of St. Bonaventure University) in Allegany, graduating in 1959 with a B.S. in Education. She later completed graduate work at both the Catholic Theological Union in Washington, D.C., and the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto, Canada. She also had the fortunate opportunity to study at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, where she earned a Certification in History, a subject of great interest throughout her lifetime. Sister's ministry was primarily through the field of education, and from 1947 to 1980, she taught both the lower grades and high school students in schools of the congregation in New York and New Jersey. Locally, she spent 8 years teaching at Archbishop Walsh in Olean, New York. When her years of teaching finally drew to a close, Sister was happy to continue her work among children, accepting an assignment at St. Joseph's school in Niagara Falls, New York, where she patiently utilized her communication and tutoring skills in the Library for the next 10 years. Sister Rose Therese retired in 1997, opting to remain a resident at St. Joseph's Convent in Niagara Falls for several years. In 2001, she was warmly welcomed home by her sisters at the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, New York. During early retirement, she continued to be active and was content to assist as needed in the Community mail room. Sister Rose Therese is predeceased by her parents; sisters, Jean and Elizabeth; as well as her only brother, John. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. There will be no Wake Service. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, 2016 in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, followed by burial 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.