On the occasion of her 50th Anniversary as a Sister of Charity, Yonkers’ Mayor Philip A. Amicone declared October 5, 2007, “Sister Theresa Luciano Day.” The Proclamation noted the “quality and innovative education and strong foundation” she provided for the many students whom she taught.
Sister Theresa D. Luciano (Sister Richard Mary) was born October 30, 1937, in Yonkers, New York. She was the only daughter of two children born to Nazzerano and Marie Romano Luciano. Theresa was educated at Saint Mary, Yonkers, Saint John the Evangelist High School, White Plains, and worked as a secretary at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Yonkers, before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1957.
Sister Richard received her BA in History from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx, and her MS in Education from Bank Street College of Education, Manhattan. She later earned NYS Permanent Certification in Education, K–6.
Elementary education was Sister Theresa’s first love and only ministry for fifty years. She taught at Saint Agatha Home, Nanuet, where she also served as a group mother for one year, Holy Trinity, Manhattan, Saint John the Evangelist, White Plains, her alma mater, Saint Mary, Yonkers, and Holy Name, New Rochelle. In 1977, Sister Theresa began working with the “open classroom” teaching method, which was innovative in the late seventies and early eighties. She used this technique when she taught at Blessed Sacrament, Bronx, and Sacred Heart, Dobbs Ferry.
When computer science became part of the elementary school curriculum, Sister Theresa taught it first at Christ the King, Yonkers, Saint Matthew, Hastings, and then at Saint Mary, Yonkers. With the closing of Saint Mary School in 2011, Sister Theresa retired from teaching. However, she continued working with computers and was always ready to help both children and adults with computer challenges.
In 2012, she moved to the Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers, and later joined the retirement community of the Sisters of Charity at Schervier Nursing Care in the Bronx. She remained there until her death on December 1, 2020.
On the occasion of her 50th Anniversary as a Sister of Charity, Yonkers’ Mayor Philip A. Amicone declared October 5, 2007, Sister Theresa Luciano Day. The Proclamation noted the “quality and innovative education and strong foundation” she provided for the many students whom she taught. Among her interests, Sister Theresa collected memorabilia from vacationing at the Jersey Shore and Mystic, Connecticut, and she enjoyed assembling and decorating dollhouses.
We rejoice with her now as she is greeted by her parents, friends and the Sisters of Charity who have gone before her. Rest in the peace and joy of our loving God, Sister Theresa.
A prayer service will be live-streamed on Thursday, December 4, 2020, at 8:30 am at this link: https://venue.streamspot.com/d286a8ab
The Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed on Friday, December 4, 2020, at 9:45 am at this link: https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Date of Death
December 1, 2020
Age
83
Private Wake & Funeral
Burial
Mount Hope Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Agatha Home, Nanuet
1960-63, Teacher, Gr. 2
1963–64, Group Mother - Holy Trinity, Manhattan
1964-70, Teacher, Gr. 1 - St. John the Evangelist, White Plains
1970–71, Teacher, Gr. 1 - St. Mary, Yonkers
1971–76, Teacher, Gr. 2 - Holy Name, New Rochelle
1976–77, Teacher, Gr. 3 - Blessed Sacrament, Bronx
1977–82, Teacher, Gr. 4 Open Classroom - Sacred Heart, Dobbs Ferry
1982–86, Teacher, Gr. 3 Open Classroom - Christ the King, Yonkers
1986–89, Teacher, Gr. K–5, 8 - St. Mary, Yonkers
1989–2011, Teacher, Comp. Science, Gr. 2–8
Sr. Theresa was a very dedicated teacher. She worked tirelessly to keep the computer lab going at St. Mary’s. Family members,friends, our Development Office, fellow teachers, her pastor and all local government officials were approached for help. She did this because of her great love for her students. She wanted them prepared for a world centered on computers. The Saints in heaven will be on computers within a year. Thank you Sr.Theresa for you passion.
Theresa, you will be missed. May you rest in peace and joy. Amen.
Theresa and I had the pleasure and privilege of being taught by the Sisters of Charity at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Yonkers in the 1940’s. We shared many happy memories of those wonderful years in the parish. How fitting that she returned to teach at St. Mary’s in her later years.
May you now rest in peace, Theresa, and in the light of the Lord and may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, and may the Bells of St. Mary’s ring loud and clear welcoming you home.
I met Sr. Theresa when I visited a relative at “the Queen”. Sr. Theresa was always upbeat about and positive in spite of her health issues. We had many interesting conversations at mealtime.
Very sorry to hear of her passing. May she rest in peace.