Sister Mary Terez Gonsoulin, SSND

The second daughter of Doris (Guelfo) and Thomas Gonsoulin was born on November 24, 1942, at Hotel Dieu Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana.  She was baptized on December 20, 1942, at St. Joseph Church in New Orleans and named Marjorie Cecile.  She joined her older sister, Antonia (Toni).  The happy family was devastated by the unexpected death of her 33-year-old father when Marjorie was three years old.  They went to live with her maternal grandparents who were like second parents to Marjorie and her sister.

Marjorie attended several Catholic schools in New Orleans as her grandparents moved several times.  She enrolled at Sacred Heart High School where she became acquainted with the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  She was inspired by their witness of care and concern for each other and entered the candidature at Sancta Maria in Ripa, St. Louis, Missouri on August 22, 1960.  She was received into the novitiate on July 29, 1961, and given the name Mary Terez’.  Profession of first vows was on July 30, 1962, and final vows on July 30, 1967, in Irving, Texas.

Sister Terez’ earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from the former Notre Dame College, St. Louis, Missouri in 1964 and a master’s degree in elementary administration from Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana in 1976.

Sister Terez’ taught elementary children for 10 years beginning at Immaculate Conception, Marrero, Louisiana, followed by St. Alphonsus, McComb, Mississippi; St. Gregory, Houma, Louisiana and St. Gerard Majella, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  In 1974, she became the principal at St. Gregory Nongraded School in Tyler, Texas.  After a six-year term, she returned to teaching at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Houston, Texas, Carmel High School in Houston and Queen of Peace in Houston.

In 1989, she became the administrator for the St. Paul Learning Center in Brandon, Mississippi. Eleven years later, she continued in this ministry as the director of Circle of Friends Learning Center in Brandon and then director of Hope Learning Center in Brandon for fourteen years.  During these 27 years in Brandon, she was the administrator for three daycare centers with the belief that “the future of Catholic education is in daycare.”

In 2016, she was missioned to the former St. Mary of the Pines, Chatawa, Mississippi and performed community service.  For two years, she was a volunteer at Martin Pre-School & Christian Life in Magnolia, Mississippi.

With other Sisters from Chatawa, she was missioned to St. Anthony’s Gardens, Covington, Louisiana in 2019.  As her health failed, she was transferred to Trinity Trace Community Care Center in Covington.   She passed unexpectedly in the early afternoon of May 23, 2025, as aides were ministering to her. She requested to be cremated.

Sister Terez’ loved little children, was an excellent listener and mentor to her teachers.  She was a role model and gave credit to her staff for the loving care given to the children.  May she now be welcomed by her God as she enters eternal life and receives the reward promised by Jesus to those who teach the little ones.

Sister Terez’ is survived by her two nieces, Colleen Walsh, Clinton, Arkansas and Marjorie Gauthreaux, Thibodaux, La and their families.

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with a Prayer Service/Sharing of Memories at 10:30 AM and a Memorial Mass at 11:00 AM at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 501 Holy Trinity Drive, Covington, La.  Father Rodney Bourg will officiate.  Inurnment will be at 1:30 PM at St. Mary of the Pines Cemetery, Chatawa, MS.

Arrangements are entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home of Covington, La.

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