Obituary of Sr. Therese VanBourgondien, OSF

Born: Therese Maria Van Bourgondien, Hillegom, The Netherlands, December 12, 1929 Died: August 4, 2022, St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY Daughter of: Pieter and Emilie Stehmann Van Bourgondien, Hillegom, The Netherlands Sister Therese entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany on September 3, 1957, was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1958 and professed her final vows on August 16, 1965. 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 in The Netherlands until she was ten years of age, at which time her family emigrated to the United States. She completed her elementary education at St. Joseph School in Babylon, NY and graduated from the Academy of St. Joseph in Brentwood, NY in 1948. She attended Trinity College, Washington, D.C. and Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology with a minor in German. She continued her education receiving a Master of Science Degree in Microbiology from St. John University, New York, NY. Upon graduation, she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. Her first ministry was at St. Francis Hospital, Olean, NY as a lab technician. For the next several years, Sr. Therese taught at St. Joseph School and Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean, NY, as well as St. Elizabeth Teachers College at the Motherhouse. She began doctoral studies at St. Bonaventure University, earning her doctorate in 1967 in Biology, with a minor in Microbiology and Physicology. For the next 12 years, Sr. Therese was a Nursing Instructor at St. Clare School of Nursing in New York City, simultaneously conducting research and instructing at Good Counsel College in White Plains, NY and Community College in Brooklyn, NY. She had a passion for lifelong learning and teaching, while at the same time she quietly and unassumingly enjoyed time at the ocean and lakes creating gorgeous watercolor images of nature. Walks along the Allegany River were treasured pastimes. Therese was fluent in Dutch, German and English languages. She loved growing up with her favorite breed of dog, the dachshund, and the beautiful tulips grown in her parents’ floral shop. In 2011, Therese was warmly welcomed home to St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, where she continued to create artwork and images to share with everyone. She is predeceased by her parents, Pieter and Emilie Stehmann Van Bourgondien and an aunt, Martha Stehmann. She is survived, loved and cherished by many generations of cousins in Germany, Holland and the US. A Wake Service will be held at 4:00PM, Sunday, August 7, 2022 in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, New York. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00AM, Monday, August 8, 2022 in the Motherhouse Chapel, 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, NY . For condolences and comments, please visit www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com