Sr. Thecla Mawn, formerly Margaret Mawn, a member of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, New York for the past 69 years, died on May 13, 2015 in St. Martin de Porres Community. Sister was 86 years of age.
Sr. Thecla was born to John Mawn and Annie McGovern Mawn on October 16, 1928 in the Bronx. She entered the Sisters of St. Dominic on September 12, 1946 from St. Luke’s Parish, Bronx, NY. Sr. Thecla received the Dominican habit on September 2, 1947, professed first vows on September 3, 1948, and final vows on September 5, 1951.
Sister held the BA in Education from Catholic Teachers College, Rhode Island and the MA in Guidance, and Counseling from Manhattan College, NY.
Sr. Thecla’s many years of active ministry included: Holy Spirit School, Bronx, NY, 1949 –54; St. Pius School, Providence, R.I., 1954-61; St. Anselm’s School, Bronx, NY, 1961-66; Holy Cross School, NY, 1966-67, and St. Paul’s School, Daytona Beach Florida, Principal, 1967-70. Sister served the Diocese of Orlando as Director of Elementary Education, 1970-72, as well as the Blauvelt Congregation as Director of Ministry, 1972-75, Social Concerns Coordinator, 1975-79, and Secretary General 1979-87. Sister ministered in St. Dominic’s Home, Blauvelt, NY as Assistant Director of Employee Relations, 1987-2002 and Human Resource Specialist 2002-2013.
In addition to her religious congregation, Sr. Thecla is survived by her nephews Michael and Sean McSherry, and James Mawn and her nieces Peggy Martino, Susan McSherry and Patricia Mawn-Alley.
She was predeceased by her sister Anne and her brothers John and James Mawn.