Sister Therese Tighe
1926-2012
Sister Therese Tighe was described by Sister Jo Gaugier as “a woman with a compassionate heart and great sense of humor who enjoyed life.” Her many friends would agree.
Sarah Therese, always called Therese, was the last child born to Francis and Irene (Parry) Tighe of Detroit, both of Irish ancestry. Therese entered the family on April 22, 1926, preceded by two brothers, Francis and Parry, and two sisters, Mary Irene and Rita. She was the beloved little sister of her brothers, but her two sisters kept her from becoming too spoiled. The parents were dedicated Catholics, and taught their children to love the faith.
The Tighes lived in St. Theresa Parish, and their children attended St. Theresa School through elementary and high school. Their small daughter Therese was terrified at leaving home for school with Dominican teachers who seemed like “strange looking women” to her. She, however, came to love and revere them. They not only educated her, but strengthened her Christian faith. She wrote that her love of people and fun “grew by leaps and bounds.” During her secondary years, she appeared in the school plays, was a cheerleader, and served as president of the Choral Club and as vice president of the Student Council. She also began to feel a desire to emulate her teachers. Her parents were delighted when, in her senior year, she made this desire known to them. However, both Therese and her parents found the parting hard.
Within a short time of graduation from high school in 1945, she entered the Adrian postulate on June 29. Sister Therese wrote that she was very homesick and missed her family very much at first, but that her postulate and novitiate seemed to pass very quickly. Her desire to serve God and the Church helped her to overcome her loneliness. With her group, she received the habit and her religious name on January 4, 1946, and professed her first vows on January 5, 1947. Until the 1970s, she was known as Sister Francis Irene.
Within a short time she was on her way to Chicago, where she taught primary students at St. Kilian School for four years. During the summers, she studied at Siena Heights College (now University) in Adrian, and in 1951 received a bachelor’s degree with a major in history and minors in Spanish and English.
Beginning in 1951, she spent seven years at Assumption School in South Jacksonville, Florida, with primary students for a year, then as principal, teaching on the junior high level. She studied at the University of Florida in Gainesville during the summers, and in August 1956 the University awarded her a master’s degree in education. She also spent a summer at Nassau in the Bahama Islands, where she witnessed abject poverty and conceived a wish to serve suffering people. The death of her father in 1954 brought a period of sorrow into her life.
Brought back to Michigan in 1958, she was assigned to Rosary High School in Detroit as a teacher of history, geography, and religion. She was happy to be close to her mother, who was alone, since all of her siblings were married with families. She experienced another period of sorrow when her brother Francis, who was suffering from a brain tumor, died; but the fact that she was with him when he died eased her sorrow somewhat. This experience aroused in her a desire to engage in a hospital ministry.
In 1961 she was transferred to St. John the Baptist in Ypsilanti, where she taught the same courses with the addition of verse choir. A year later, she was again in Detroit, at St. Gabriel, and four years later at Benedictine High School, residing at St. Scholastica Convent. There she taught English and drama. She wrote of directing plays as “a most fruitful experience,” and that “the beauty of the creative process makes worthwhile all the efforts of play production.” She also wrote that a director gets very close to the students, and that real growth occurs.
In 1970, she was assigned to Siena Heights College, where she served for six years in the drama department, three of those years as chairperson of the department. Sister Jo Gaugier said:
She and the sister in Development acquainted themselves with Charles Verheyden of the Verheyden Funeral Home, and through her ingenuity and their influence assisted him in a business matter. Charles, in gratitude, donated funds needed to help build a performing arts center.
In 1972, Sister Therese directed “My Fair Lady,” the first performance in the newly-built Verheyden Performing Arts Center. In following years she directed “West Side Story” and “The Taming of the Shrew.” These performances were all publicized in the Adrian newspaper, The Adrian Telegram. She wrote, “Having used up my creative energy at that time, I knew that I should move on.”
She accepted a position as principal of St. Peter School in Harper Woods, Michigan, and at the end of six years spent a year as a student of CPE (clinical pastoral education) at Harper Grace Hospital in Detroit. She then committed herself to a three-year contract as principal of St. Anthony School in Belleville, Michigan, and also worked as a contingent chaplain at Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe. When she completed her contract at St. Anthony School, she became a full-time chaplain at Bon Secours Hospital, which she found to be a life-giving ministry. In her autobiography she wrote:
I love this ministry and feel that it is right for me. At first I missed being with children and teachers, but I am very happy in hospital ministry. There has been so much to learn about health care and hospital life. The challenges are endless. . . . The deepening of my own faith life helps me to face the needs and sufferings of others. . . . At one time I felt that the title of chaplain belonged only to clergy and ministers. With pride, I now carry that title.
In 2000, after fourteen years and with failing health, she left Bon Secours Hospital and became a pastoral care volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital in Clinton Township, Michigan. She wrote:
I have enjoyed these last years spending time with other Adrians nearby, having visits with my nephews and nieces, and the support and companionship of my faithful friends, Sister Betty Flaherty and my dog Paddy.
She discontinued her ministry at St. Joseph Hospital in December 2005, and moved to the Dominican Life Center/ Maria in Adrian where she remained until her death on January 30, 2012, at the age of eighty-five.
A wake-remembrance service was held for Sister Therese in St. Catherine Chapel at 4:00 pm on February 2. Sister Jo Gaugier, Prioress of Holy Rosary Mission Chapter, extended sympathy and welcomed those who had come to bid Sister Therese farewell. Several of her nieces and nephews were present, and many friends, including her many Dominican friends. Sister Betty Flaherty, who had been with her daily, attended, as well as members of her family. Sister Jo summarized Sister Therese’s life and ministry. She spoke of Sister Therese’s memory loss, and added:
Sister Therese expressed gratitude to the [Maria] staff who assisted with her needs these last years. Not too long ago she asked Sister Betty what she could do to thank the nursing staff who did so much for her. Together they practiced the song “You Light Up My Life.” The day came that she was ready, and as staff persons entered the room that day she sang to them “You Light Up My Life.” As you can imagine, no dry eyes left that room.
It was much like that last Monday, a short time after a beautiful surprise visit with her nephew Kevin and his wife. Sister Therese suddenly had great difficulty breathing and very soon took her last breath. Many, including the staff, were moved to tears.
Sister Therese’s nephew Kevin Polivick, spoke for the family. Some quotes follow.
Aunt Therese was an individual with an unwavering commitment to faith, remarkable professional achievements, and a dedication to those she served, but there was a personal side, a side where all family members adored her and looked forward to her visits. [She] taught us the following:
“Be loyal to others.” She was a true friend, and you knew when she said she’d pray for you she meant it.
“Lead by example.” Too often people preach, but don’t practice. Not Aunt Therese. Her life teachings were not so much by word, but by action.
“Forgiving others is not easy, but keep trying.” She genuinely believed that people are inherently good, but sometimes make mistakes. Forgive them.
“Always remember that a dog is man and woman’s best friend, and we need all the friends we can get.”
“Humor is the best medicine: it’s free.” Aunt Therese had the quickest wit, the greatest sense of timing, and a keen sensitivity to when laughter was required.
“The greatest things in life are really not things, they are people. Dedicate your life’s purpose to helping others become better people. They will never forget your efforts.”
“Lead a purpose-driven life. Contribute to your community, help a neighbor, welcome someone new to your group.
“Stay true to your convictions and never compromise your values.”
“Nurture and strengthen your spiritual faith.” Her faith was her inspiration, her beacon in the night. . . . She inspired others by lighting a path for us.
We learned from her the power of friendship and how we should treat others. She was blessed with so many friends. . . . Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Sister Betty for her friendship and loyalty to Aunt Therese.
Our family would like to thank the Adrian Dominican Sisters. You have, in no small way, been a significant force in our lives, and we are the better for it. . . . Thank you for your many contributions of human service. You make our world a better place to be.
Working for a community action agency whose mission is to serve the poor, I often encounter staff and public groups who feel overwhelmed that we aren’t more successful in ending poverty. I tell them a story about a dear relative who, at the age of eighteen, decided to choose a vocation that included a vow of poverty. . . . Sister Therese Tighe will always be my inspiration.
Sister Shirley Cushing also spoke. Part of what she said:
I have known Sister Therese Tighe since we were in seventh grade together at St. Theresa School in Detroit.
She was a woman without guile and she loved her family, friends, and the people to whom she ministered. She was a very loyal person. I never heard her say an unkind word—to me or about anyone. She loved her vocation, and she epitomized the joy of St. Dominic.
Sister Therese Tighe’s funeral liturgy was celebrated on February 3. Father Robert Kelly, OP, was the presider and homilist. She was then laid to rest in the cemetery laid out in circles many years ago by the first Adrian Dominican Prioress, Mother Camilla Madden.
Her many friends will miss her; but just as she sang in appreciation to the Maria staff, so now we know, as Sister Jo said, “that her spirit sings in eternal knowing, light, and love.”