S. Teresa Carmel (Sara) Tomlinson, age 89, a beloved Sister of St. Joseph for 68 years died at Mercy Suburban Hospital, Norristown, PA on April 2, 2008. Her funeral mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Villa on April 8, 2008.
Sara Tomlinson was born in Philadelphia, PA, one of five children of Enoch and Margaret Tomlinson. Baptized at Nativity BVM Church on Alleghany Avenue, her family soon moved to Bustleton where she made her First Holy Communion at Maternity BVM Church. By the time Resurrection School opened and she began as a fifth grader there, she had already attended Jacobs Public School and St. Cecilia’s, Fox Chase. It was at Resurrection that e first encountered the Sisters of St. Joseph. She went on to attend Hallahan High School where she deepened the SSJ relationship that would continue into her working years following graduation from Hallahan in 1937.
As a secretary at Jeffrey and Manz, Sara would attend noon Mass at St. Augustine’s and see the sisters bringing the children into Church. Thus did seeds of her SSJ vocation that had germinated through her elementary and high school years come to fruition when she was led in 1940, at the age of 21, to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph.
S. Teresa Carmel began her ministry in elementary education in 1942 and for 59 years served in schools in the Philadelphia, Newark, and Allentown dioceses. She was a respected teacher and principal and after retiring from the classroom she served as school librarian. In 2001 she became a resident at St. Joseph Villa and in her living history she spoke lovingly of the Villa as “a prelude to heaven.”
Another Sister resident at the Villa observed how S. Teresa Carmel’s participation in daily life at the Villa truly helped to make it a “prelude to heaven” for others. In her seven years there she was a frequent lector at daily mass, she could be seen transporting medical charts from one floor to another or doing other errands, always with an unhurried manner and a smile, ready to share a joke or join in some fun. This Sister summarized, “Wherever there are activities it is always good to see S. Teresa Carmel. She has a special gift and everyone feels comfortable in her presence.”
S. Teresa accepted her illnesses with patience and graciousness as well—including the ordeal of dialysis three times a week. The dialysis clinic became a new focus of ministry for her, as she strived to encourage others and to evangelize this group. She had them all praying to St. Therese: “Little Flower show your power in this hour.”
With gratitude the Sisters of St. Joseph celebrate the rich legacy of S. Teresa Carmel Tomlinson and pray that her example may continue to inspire our daily lives! |
