Sister Mary Teresa Finnegan

Published 10:50 am Thursday, June 25, 2015

Sister Mary Teresa Finnegan, a Sister of Mercy for over 69 years, went home to heaven on June 20, 2015.

She was born to James Lawrence Finnegan and Cyrillus O’Flynn Finnegan on Nov. 18, 1927, in Rose Hill.

She received her B.S. in nursing from St. Mary’s in Leavenworth, her M.S. at the University of Maryland and her doctorate from Mississippi State.

She served as a staff nurse and became supervisor and director of nursing at hospitals in Vicksburg, and Guyana, South America, and was in both places several times. She later became assistant professor at the School of Nursing for the University of Southern Mississippi, serving there from 1976-88.

She had a distinguishing career and ministry. She then served as consultant and director of other programs in healthcare and parishes. Sister also served in community leadership in St. Louis.

Sister is survived by a sister, Martha Rose Burns, and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Velma Boswell, Sister Melanie Finnegan (Annie Mae), Marguerite Finnegan; and brothers John A., William, Lawrence, Roy, Charles, Joseph, Thomas, Herman and Patrick.

Sister Teresa spent many years in Vicksburg and was volunteering there until July 2014, then moving to Convent of Mercy in Mobile, Ala. Much of her heart was still in Vicksburg.

There will be a wake in Mobile at Convent of Mercy on Thursday, June 25 at 10 a.m., followed by Mass at 11.

Friday, there will be a wake and Mass at the same time in Vicksburg at St Paul Catholic Church. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sisters of Mercy Retirement Fund.