Sister Therese Fang

✝ Sunday, May 28th 2023

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“On the faithful, who adore; And confess you, evermore; In your sevenfold gif descend; Give them your salvation, Lord; Give them joys that never end. Amen, Alleluia," (From Pentecost sequence)

Sister Therese Fang was called to eternity on Pentecost, May 28, 2023, at 8:46 p.m. Sisters Christa Ann Struewing Marilyn McCormick, and Loreto Home staff were with her.

Sister Therese, the former Bibiana Fang, was born in Shang Tung, Tung Ping, China, on November 27, 1920, the daughter of Peter and Mary Young Fang. She entered the Congregation at St. Joseph Hospital, Jinan, China, on March 25, 1944, and professed her religious vows on September 17, 1946.

After studying English, Sister Therese attended St. John's Hospital School of Nursing. She earned a certificate from St. John's Hospital School of X-Ray in 1956 and became a registered radiological technician. She served at St. John's Tuberculosis Sanitarium, Springfield and HSHS hospitals in Illinois and Wsconsin. Sister Therese ministered at HSHS St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, IL from 1960 to 1996.

To escape from an arranged marriage, Sister Therese traveled one hundred miles from her home to Jinan, China to continue her education and to work with our Sisters there. After 10 years in Jinan, Sister decided to join our community. Sister hoped to serve the Chinese people; however, God had another plan. Instead, Sister Therese rendered her service to the American people for the rest of her life.

Sister Therese was a fast learner not only of the English language, but also of American customs and culture. We will remember certain things about Sister Therese in a special way. Among them was being a staunch fan of the St. Louis Cardinals' baseball team and her favorite player Darrell Porter. Sister also had the honor of being photographed with conductor Lawrence Welk when he visited Litchfield. Sister Therese loved pandas and had a collection of them in her room. Among her many talents, Sister was an expert in making potstickers and shared them with Sisters and friends; she also taught many Americans how to make potstickers!

After returning to the Motherhouse from Litchfield, Sister worked in the Liturgy Department playing the organ, piano, harp, and handbells on many occasions. She also helped with the weekly liturgy guide.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Peter Fang, She is survived by her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Ma of Flushing, NY, Shaun and Chloe Liang of Kensington, MD. We offer Sister Therese's family and friends our sincere condolences and the prayerful support of the Christian community.

The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Richard Chiola on Thursday, 11 June 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.  May Sister Therese enjoy her full reward from the Lord and intercede for us from Heaven.