During her fifty-two years of health care ministry, physicians, staff, patients, and families deeply appreciated her goodness, humor, and fidelity to quality care.
Sister Teresita Duque (Clara Ines) was born January 9, 1928 in Bogotá, Colombia, South America. She was one of three daughters and six sons born to Bernardo and Ines Gonzalez Duque. Clara attended Colegio de la Enseñanza and Colegio de la Presentación in Bogota, and Saint Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing in Manhattan, receiving her RN in 1950. She worked for four years before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on February 2, 1954. Sister Teresita received her BSED in Nursing in 1962 and her MS in Nursing Education in 1964 from Hunter College, New York.
Sister Teresita’s first mission was Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Manhattan, where she served for twelve years in the positions of staff nurse, supervisor, and Emergency Room supervisor. For one year she served as evening and night supervisor at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Harrison, NY. She returned to Saint Vincent’s, Manhattan, for the next nineteen years, serving again as Emergency Room supervisor, and co-founder, nurse coordinator, and “heart and soul” of the Chelsea Village Program. This program began in the Department of Community Medicine of Saint Vincent’s Hospital when medical teams recognized the needs of the severely disabled and homebound-elderly living in the Chelsea and Greenwich Village areas of NYC. In 1988, Sister Teresita went to the Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers, as the Director of Nursing, a position she held for three years, and then worked for one year as an RN for the New York City Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. From 1992 until 2000, Sister worked as a patient representative at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Manhattan, and continued as a volunteer in this capacity until she retired to Mount Saint Vincent Convent in 2008. As her health declined, she joined the retirement community at Convent of Mary the Queen and then moved to Kittay Senior Apartments in the Bronx. Sister Teresita celebrated her 65th Jubilee as a Sister of Charity on February 2, 2019, with her Kittay Community.
During her fifty-two years of health care ministry, physicians, staff, patients, and families deeply appreciated her goodness, humor, and fidelity to quality care. She loved her work, the people to whom she ministered, those with whom she served, her family, and her religious community. Sister Teresita’s deep commitment to peace and justice led to active participation in Pax Christi Metro New York and, in 2001, the organization honored her with its Service Award for her consistent support and inspiration for many years.
It was said that she witnessed to the peace of Christ in all she did. Sister Teresita, rest now in Christ’s everlasting peace, as you are welcomed by our gracious God whom you loved and served so long and well.
Note: Sister Teresita’s funeral will be live-streamed on Friday, March 22 at 10 am.
https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
The video will be available for viewing for thirty days.
Date of Death
March 17, 2019
Age
91
Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent Assembly Room
6301 Riverdale Ave., Bronx, NY 10471
718.601.5370
Thursday, March 21, 2019
2:00 – 6:30 pm
Prayer Service: 4:30 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
Mount Saint Vincent Convent Assembly Room
Friday, March 22, 2019
10:00 am
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery, Yonkers
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Vincent Hospital, Manhattan
1956–68, Staff Nurse, Night & Evening Supervisor, ER Supervisor
1969–73, ER Supervisor, Nurse Coordinator, Chelsea Village Program - St. Vincent Hospital, Harrison
1968–69, Relief Supervisor, Evening and Night - St. Vincent Hospital & Medical Center, Manhattan
1973–88, Nurse Coordinator, Chelsea Village Program
1992–00, Patient Representative
00–08, Volunteer Services - Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers
1988–91, Director of Nursing
New York
- NYC Chapter Multiple Sclerosis Society
1991–92, Registered Nurse
I had the Honor and Priviledge of Knowing Sr. Teresita from 1968 to when the Hospital closed.
A true compassionate loving person.
Soar with the Angels
My Deepest Sympathies
Marilyn Hank. RN
SVHSON 73
It seems that Sr.Teresita so sweet and small, would quietly appear at a patient’s bedside just when the need was great. Her gentle presence, kindly expression soothed so many and taught us much.
The great privilege of my career was to be asked to follow her as the Nurse in the Chelsea Village Program. She could never be replaced! Such a wonderful, cheerful and caring person! I am sure she is in heaven having a good laugh with Dr. Brickner. What a wonderful program they started-it meant so much to so many!
I knew Sister Teresita since 1970. She was truly a loving, kind individual with a wonderful sense of humor! She lived in the Martin Payne building at St Vincent’s with her roommates of over 30 years ie Sr Margaret Sweeney, Sr Patrice Miurphy, Sr Margaret Regina and her very close friend Sr Vincent who passed away many years ago. This world lost a wonderful human being on St Patrick’s Day! RIP my friend.
I just learned of Sister Teresita’s passing this evening. As the niece of Sister Margaret Sweeney, who shared an apartment with Sister Teresita for over 30 years, I had the joy and privilege of getting to know Sister Teresita and spending many happy occasions with her. She was a highly intelligent and compassionate person who impressed me with her devotion to serving the needs of the most vulnerable. It seems fitting that having spent so much time with Sweeneys that she went to her heavenly home on St. Patrick’s Day. Say hello to my father when you see him.
Our entire family extends its deepest sympathy and prayers.
I will always remember her support of a very inexperienced young intern. May she Rest In Peace.
Sr Teresita, will always be remembered for her gentle spirit & deep devotion to patients & families. She was a kind & compassionate person, who gave emotional support & peace to those in need. Sr Teresita, will be greatly missed. May she Rest In Peace.
I met Sr. Teresita when I was working at the UN Headquarters in New York.. Sr. Teresita was a very dear family friend. She was a very pleasant person. Her unfortunate passing rendered me very sad. May God bless her soul and may she rest in eternal peace.
She will be dearly missed. Her special ways touch all.
Sister Teresita – kind & gentle – may the angels carry you to Paradise
I met Sister Teresita in 1994 when I was a first year resident working in the outpatient clinic at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan. Somehow what I remember most is her smile and her perpetual calm demeanor. Rest In Peace Sr Teresita. It was an honor.
I met Sr. Teresita when I joined Pax Christi Metro New York and served on the Witness Committee with her. She has always been a gift to us, now we have another Saint in heaven to watch over us. Thank you for your wit and dedication to peace and justice!
Sr. Teresita must have been a magnificent person. She helped so many people in need of medical care. She was a gift to all.
I met Sister Teresita in 1977 when I was a driver for the St. Vincent’s Community Medicine Chelsea Village Program. I drove her and the medical team to the elderly home bound patients for over 20 years. I remember her as being very organized, punctual and extremely dedicated to the patients under her care. I will miss her dearly.
Edward Navarro
Chelsea Village Program
Driver
I knew Sr. Teresita through Pax Christi Metro New York. She was a cheerful and caring individual. I have been praying to her as we have another saint in heaven to intercede for us.
I WAS BLESSED TO SHARE MANY RETREATS, ASSEMBLIES AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY Pax Christi METRO New York. WITH TERESITA. SHE WAS A MOST WONDERFUL BLEND OF CALM, SERIOUSNESS, JOY AND WIT. HER PRESENCE IN TIMES OF JOY AND ANGUISH PROVIDED A SURITY THAT SHE AND GOD WERE NEAR, FULLY ENGAGED AND ABLE TO HELP. HER WARM OPENSMILE OF GREETING AND SLY TWINKLE STILL LIGHT MY MEMORIES.
TERESITA DUQUE PRESENTE!