Obituary of Sr. Mary Theresa Kilcomons, R.S.M.

Sister Mary Theresa Kilcomons Sister Mary Theresa, the former Sister Mary Rosita and known to family and friends as Mae, was one of 10 children born to William and Mary Kilcomons in 1933 in Sayreville, New Jersey. She attended St. Mary elementary and high schools in South Amboy and entered the Sisters of Mercy from St. Mary Parish in 1951. She received the name Sister Mary Rosita at her reception of the habit in 1952. Sister continued her education at Georgian Court College (now University) earning a bachelors degree in elementary education and certifications in elementary education and science. Sister began teaching in St. Joseph School in Bound Brook, New Jersey in 1953. She continued teaching in the Trenton and Metuchen diocesan schools including St. Mary School, Bordentown; Our Lady of Lourdes School, Milltown; St. Philip and James School, Phillipsburg; St. Paul School, Burlington; St. Mary Academy, Lakewood; St. Ann School, Keansburg; St. Catherine School, East Keansburg and St. James School in Woodbridge. As a teacher, Sister held firm and exacting expectations of her students but they came know her gentle side when they were in need. In 1985, sister became a devoted caregiver for her mother at her home in Spring Lake. After her mother’s death, Sister joined the support staff at St. Matthias Parish in Somerset where she served in several capacities until her retirement in 2006. Parish life and her contributions in both the school and parish center were a source of real enjoyment and pride for Mae and a fitting ending to her ministerial life. Her devotion to her vocation, her sisters in community and her family were a hallmark of her life. Sister is survived by six brothers and a sister: Barbara Turner of South Amboy; Daniel Kilcomons of Sayreville; Edward Kilcomons of Cape Coral, Florida and South Amboy; John Kilcomons of East Brunswick; Joseph Kilcomons of Seaside Park; Richard Kilcomons of South Amboy and Warren Kilcomons of Spring Lake. Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, 1633 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ, on September 19, 2015. Wake will be from 9:30 – 11 am Welcome Home Service at 10 am Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am The mass will be celebrated by Reverend Richard Kilcomons. Burial will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ Memorial donations may be made to Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, 1645 US Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069