Teresa Rita Kent

Kent, Teresa Rita, RSCJ ALBANY Teresa Rita Kent, RSCJ, 95 years, died on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at the Teresian House. Born in Philadelphia, Pa. on April 8, 1913, Teresa was the sixth of ten children, five girls and five boys, of Charles Kent and Mary Kent (nee Hughes). Four of the girls became nuns: Mary, Rose and Teresa entered the Society of the Sacred Heart and Anne joined the Sisters of St. Joseph in Pennsylvania. One brother, John, became a Christian Brother. Teresa entered the Society of the Sacred Heart at Kenwood on September 4, 1931 at the age of 18 and made her final profession on September 24, 1939 at The Sacred Heart Convent, Lawrence Ave. in Detroit, Mich. Teresa had grown up in a very devout Irish Catholic family and, throughout her life, she lived the vibrant faith and love of God learned there. During her years of ministry, beginning in 1932, Teresa served in Schools of the Sacred Heart in Albany, Washington, D.C., Grosse Pointe, Mich., Detroit, Mich., Newton, Mass., Philadelphia, Pa., and Princeton, N.J. During all those years, she was in charge of the food service. Sr. Kent loved this work, especially because it brought her in contact with the students. Her culinary skills and her dedication to her work were legendary. When in 1969, Sr. Teresa moved to Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, N.J., she continued her work in food service and provided care for the students as school nurse. In 1978, Teresa was invited to return to Albany to assist as a primary aide with pre-K, kindergarten, and grade one students at Doane Stuart School. For the next 21 years, Sr. Teresa was there to greet the children when they arrived in the morning and to watch over them until classes began. Throughout the day, she assisted the classroom teachers until dismissal at the end of the school day. The children sensed the love, dedication and caring of this kind and gentle woman who wholeheartedly lived the charism of her religious community as she brought the message of God's unique, individual love to all she meet through her life and ministry. Finally, at the age of 86 and in failing health, she retired from active ministry. Her days in the retirement community were immersed in prayer and the contemplative life. She enjoyed visits from the teachers and students and she followed all the Doane Stuart activities with great interest. In March, 2006, Sr. Kent was among the first of the sisters to move from the Kenwood Retirement facility to Teresian House. All of Sr. Kent's siblings are deceased; however, Sister is survived by a large and loving extended family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. in the Kenwood Convent Chapel on Thursday, July 17, 2008. Visitation begins at 9:00 a.m. prior to the Funeral Mass. Interment immediately following the Liturgy in the Kenwood Convent Cemetery. reillyandsonfuneralhome.com