RALEIGH – Madonna House, she once said, was what she knew best. She shared that statement in 2015 when she spoke at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and shared a reflection on religious life.
Theresa Lillian Davis took her first promises to Madonna House in 1956 and served the apostolate until her death on September 4, 2023 at age 97. Headquartered in Canada, Madonna House is a Catholic community of religious and lay people “who bear witness to the merciful love of God revealed in Christ Jesus.”
A Madonna House, where Theresa made many friends during her vocation, served the Diocese of Raleigh for decades until its closure here in 2018. Its goal was simple, to be a companion to people and show them God’s love. That spirit was present Wednesday, October 25 as Monsignor John Williams, Father Peter Devereux, L.C., Deacon Steve Lewandowski and a congregation at St. Joseph Church celebrated her life.
Friends Cathy Foley and Anne Killion accompanied JoAnne DeGidio, also of Madonna House, to present the gifts during Mass.
“She was, effectively, a godmother to a multitude,” Monsignor said of Theresa during the homily, recalling the house on Raleigh’s Rose Lane where Theresa lived her vocation. “She was brilliantly articulate. Her long life was an oblation, an offering to Jesus Christ.”
The congregation sang “My Jesus, I love Thee,” an 1862 hymn first written in Montreal, Canada by William Featherston. It was a song Theresa loved, Monsignor said.
“She’d be so happy about it,” Killion said. “This was her parish. She loved it here.”
According to her obituary, Theresa was born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on June 12, 1926 to Samuel and Margaret (Joseph) Davis. She received her primary and secondary education in Sudbury. Her family moved to Welland, Ontario and Theresa went on to study English, French and Physical Education at St. Michael’s College of the University of Toronto.
The obituary described her years as a teacher in Canada, and as a Madonna House staff member in the United States in Arizona, Texas and North Carolina, as well as in Canada, present-day Bangladesh and Israel.
It also described how she returned to Canada in 2018 and served “as an inspiration to many younger staff members and guests.” In 2021, it stated, she suffered a stroke but continued her mission.
“Even after her stroke, she welcomed and affirmed others,” said Monsignor. “Theresa, in her wheelchair, had those interactions. She was alive to the moment.”
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