SISTER TERESA Rita Noreen REDDINGTON, CSJ
Sister Teresa Reddington, the third of five children of the late Michael and Noreen Casey Reddington, was born in County Galway, Ireland, on September 21, 1931. She was baptized at St. Patrick’s in Kilmaine and confirmed at St. Mary’s in Westport. Teresa completed her elementary education at St. Columba’s School in Westport, County Mayo, and her secondary education at St. Brigid’s in Callan, County Kilkenny. She died at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, WV on November 27, 2008 at the age of 77.
Teresa entered the Congregation of St. Joseph in Wheeling on November 28, 1948. Upon her reception into the novitiate the following summer, she received the name of Sister Rita Noreen. On August 18, 1951, she made her first profession of vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience as a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph. Following the Second Vatican Council, she requested to be known by her baptismal name.
Sister Teresa earned a Bachelor of Science in Education as a Music Major from Marywood College in Scranton, Pennsylvania and a Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University in Chicago. From 1951 until 1976, she served as a teacher in parochial schools of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese. She taught at St. John School in Benwood; All Saints in Bridgeport; St. Anne in Bristol, Virginia; St. Agnes in Charleston; St. James in Clarksburg; St. Anthony in Follansbee; St. Francis Xavier in Moundsville; Blessed Sacrament in South Charleston; St. Thomas in Thomas; Corpus Christi and St. Vincent de Paul in Wheeling. From 1971 until 1978, she ministered as teacher, pastoral musician, and religious educator at St. Anthony Parish in Follansbee. In 1978, Bishop Hodges appointed her parochial coordinator of Resurrection Mission in Belington, a position which she held until her untimely death.
Sister Teresa was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Dennis Grundon. In addition to the Sisters of St. Joseph she is survived by: Marie Grundon of Toronto, Canada; Rita Reddington of New York, New York; Noreen and John Hartigan of Carpentersville, Illinois; Philomena and Paddy Mullin of County Mayo, Ireland as well as nieces and nephews in Chicago, Canada and Ireland
Parish Services in memory of Sister Teresa are as follows: Family and friends will be received from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 30 at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Elkins, with Vigil Services at 7:30 p.m. On Monday, December 1, there will be visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 am followed by a Memorial Mass celebrated at 11:00 a.m. in St. Brendan’s Catholic Church.
Family and friends will be received from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2 at Mount St. Joseph, 137 Mount St. Joseph Road, Wheeling, where Vigil Services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 in the Mount St. Joseph Chapel with Reverend Don Higgs presiding. Interment will be in the Sisters of St. Joseph section of Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wheeling Foundation, 137 Mount St. Joseph Road, Wheeling, WV 26003. Funeral arrangements by Altmeyer Funeral Home, Fourteenth and Eoff Streets, Wheeling.
I first came in contact with Sister Teresa while I was a student at Davis & Elkins College in the early 1990’s. At that time I had no idea what a blessing it was going to be having her as a friend. I have been blessed over the years with her friendship. When I think of Sister Teresa joyfull and happy thoughts come to mind. I am a United Methodist and that didn’t matter to her because we both are Christians. I went on 2 workteam mission trips to Puebla, Mexico two diffrent years and each time before I went Sister Teresa sent money to help with expenses. When I returned I shared my experience with her. Serving God’s Childern isn’t always easy but it is rewarding. I was blessed to have her as a guest at my wedding almost three years ago. Since then I have started the process to become a United Methodist Minister and at present I am serving a small congregation. Sister Teresa’s friendship is apart of who I am now. During my ministry I am looking forward to sharing and bringing the message of hope to God’s childern just as she did during her ministry. God has blessed me by allowing our paths to cross and I look forward to seeing her again some day.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Sister Teresa’s passing. She was our music teacher at St. Anthony’s in the early 70’s and I took guitar lessons from her so I could play with her at our daily school mass and Saturday evening services. Our parish took to her instantly and loved the guitar masses. She was always full of energy and I laugh every time I think of her gently swatting our hands during lessons when her patience finally wore thin. It’s been 35 years and I still think of her. I always will. She was SUPER !!
I was very saddened when I heard the news. I had the pleasure of knowing Sister Teresa when I was an international student at D&E College. She was a terrific person, a very caring and welcoming person, who often invited me and the other Irish students to her home for dinner to give us a little feeling of home. I have many fond memories from WV that involve Sister Teresa and was delighted that she managed to visit me and my family on a few occasions in Ireland when she came home. She put so much energy into her faith and I am sure she will be missed by all in the area. I offer sincere sympathy to her family.
It was a delight to provide dental care for Sister Teresa since 1988. She knew all the staff personally and always ask about their families and needs. No one will be able to replace her deligent pursuit of “community”. She had a passion for people. She never failed to send a note of thanks after each Dental Appointment. She was Belington, she had become a West Virginian and had complete identity with the community. In Christian love and sympathy, Dr. Milem and Staff at the Belington Dental Clinic
Sister Rita Noreen was my favorite teacher. I had her for 3rd grade at All Saints in Bridgeport in 1955 or 56. She was so young, energetic and made everyday a fun day to go to school. All the kids loved her so much and as you can see I now 60 and I have never forgotten her smile and her laughter. She was truly a blessing to all of us children that she taught. God Bless her family in her loss.
Sister Teresa befriended and gave strength to my father an inmate at the Huttonsville Correctional Center for the last 8 years. She visited him often and called me on many occasions to let me know how he was doing. She talked with my Dad in a spiritual way that made him recognize his failings and take accountability for his actions. She was truly an angel to him. He is grieving very much with her death. I know her place in Heaven is secure!
Sister Teresa was a true joy to know. A fellow musician who loved to sing in the chorus of Handel’s “Messiah” at A-B College, her deep love for God and sincere caring for others made her a powerful Christian witness. May she rest in the loving arms of our Lord. “Glory to God in the Highest!”
Sister Teresa was my music teacher at St. Vincent de Paul in the early 1970s. She was the first teacher I knew who played the guitar! She taught us all of the songs from Jesus Christ Superstar. I remember loving her Irish brogue and her bright red hair. My condolences to her friends and family.
Sister Teresa will always be in my mind and probably in the minds of anyone who was lucky enough to spend time in her company. Whilst spending a year in Davis & Elkins College in WV in 1994/95 with 3 other Irish lads she took us under her wing and made us feel very much at home. She would often drive from Belington to Elkins, collect all 4 of us and take us to her house where she had prepared a huge Irish dinner. It was often the highlight of the month for all 3 of us! She remained in contact with us and sometimes visited us in Ireland, she would telephone our family homes on Christmas day for a catch up. I was extremely shocked and sad to hear of her passing but her memory will always live on for me, particularly her sense of humour, generosity, and spirit.
Sister Teresa will be missed by many people in the Elkins area. She was a wonderful woman who provided comfort to people when they needed it the most. May she rest in peace.
Sister Teresa,
We will truly miss you in Belington and Elkins. You were a wonderful person, willing to help anyone in need. And you were always ready with a hello! May you truly and eternally rest in peace.
Sister was a sweet and caring person. I’m very sorry for your loss and we all will miss her smiling face
The brightest star in Belington has left her indelible memory among those who knew her and those who knew of her. Her work is done here and we wish her a peaceful, happy eternity. Thank you for the many wonderful and lasting memories, Sister T.
Our love, Robert and Lynne
To the Reddington family and the Sisters of St. Joseph – Tonight I was shocked and saddened to learn of Sr. Teresa’s untimely death. We know we’ll see her when we reach our destination but it doesn’t ease the loss. She spoke so beautifully at my sister, Nancy’s, funeral in June 2001. What a joy to talk to her on the phone about the people of Belington/Elkins/Thomas/Davis that we knew and loved. What a loss for all of us.
To the Reddington Family and the SSJ Community – It was truly saddening to read of Sr. Teresa’s death. She was such a lively part of the church’s life in this area for so long a time. It will be a while before I can hear the word Belington without thinking immediately of her. I am involved these very same days with the wake and funeral of a very dear friend here in Bridgeport; but I did want to send you my condolences and assurance of prayers in what must be a dificult time for all of you.
Fr. Larry Cann
When she walked into a room there was a higher sense of peace and joy. We will certainly miss her.