SR. CLARE DE STE. JEAN BAPTISTE, LSP

(MARY THERESA MCDONOUGH)

Sr. Clare de Ste. Jean Baptiste (Mary Theresa McDonough) died peacefully on December 24, 2022, in Mobile, Alabama, surrounded by her religious community, The Little Sisters of the Poor, as they sang the Salve Regina. Theresa was born in Savannah, Georgia, July 3, 1940, to Clara Doyle McDonough and Joseph Michael McDonough.  She attended Sacred Heart Parochial School and Saint Vincent’s Academy. A member of the SVA Class of 1958, she was part of the Legion of Mary, the SVA Basketball team, and Glee Club, to name but a few.  She was a Benedictine Cheerleader serving as Captain 1957-58.  Theresa was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Savannah all her young life.  Theresa loved Savannah, being with her friends and part of the fun, playing games and watching movies.  She always had a smile for everyone. 

After graduation, Theresa answered God’s call to join the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor.  She made her first profession of vows, October 17, 1961, in Queens Village, NY and made her perpetual vows on October 15, 1966, at the Motherhouse of the Congregation in La Tour St. Joseph, France.  She continued her education while a Little Sister of the Poor in the nursing profession, receiving her degree as a Registered Professional Nurse from St Peter’s Hospital in Albany, NY, September 5, 1965; her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fontbonne College, St Louis, MO, May 12, 1981; and her Masters in Health Care Administration from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL, in New Orleans, LA 1991-92 and St. Louis, MO, 1997-98.

As a Little Sister, Theresa served in 27 different homes of the Little Sisters across the United States as Director of Nursing, Nursing Home Administrator, Musician, Begging Sister, and member of the Community Administrative Team.  She graciously and kindly served her Lord through her ministering to the elderly poor, living the Scripture “Whatsoever you do for the least of these My brethren, you do unto Me.”  There was never a kinder or more loving person than Sister Clare.  She was loved by all.

Over the years, Theresa visited her home of Savannah many times and it was a special time for her and her family. During her visits, she packed in as much fun and faith as one woman could: visits with her Mother and Daddy, siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends, and a family reunion was always planned.  She made certain to get together with the SVA Class of 1958, have a long visit at Tybee, eat ice cream at Leopold’s with her nieces and nephews, check in on the Little Sisters of the Poor plot at the Catholic Cemetery, compete and win at basketball and ping pong games, take fishing and crabbing trips, and always making time to stop and visit with the religious community of Savannah, never forgetting where her love of service to God began. Theresa just loved her family and friends and was always delighted to be with each one of them!  She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to all.

Theresa was pre-deceased by her parents, Clara and Joe McDonough, brother, Michael McDonough, Sisters, Kathleen Ann McDonough and Clara McDonough Russo.

She is survived by her sister, Bernadette McDonough Winters (Mike), Brother-in-law, Charlie Russo, Nieces, Theresa Winters Bayman (Sean), Regina Winters (Ken), Kathleen Russo Coppage (Ronald), Bridget Russo Moore (Craig), Julia Russo Maxey (Gene), Cecilia Russo Turner (Bob), Nephews Joseph Winters (Karen), Patrick Winters (Emily) Daniel Winters (Christina), Bernard Winters, Stephen Winters (Kate), Andrew Winters (Liza), Charles Russo (Cami), as well as many great nieces and nephews, many friends and classmates of SVA ’58, and hundreds of those whom she has served with over her 64 years as a Consecrated Religious.

Sister Clare’s family is most grateful to her religious community and family, the Little Sisters of the Poor and to her caregivers at Sacred Heart Home for the love, care and support that they have given her for many years.