Sister Marie Therese Moratto, O.P.

Sr. Marie Therese Moratto, O.P. entered eternal life on Sunday, October 21, 2012. Sister was born February 27, 1913, to the late Dionysius and Francesca Soracco Moratto in League City, TX. She was preceded in death by her brothers Attilio, John, William, and Frank and by her sister Adelle. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Lucille Oggero Moratto and by numerous nieces, nephews, and great and great-great nieces and nephews.

On September 25, 1937, Sr. Marie Therese entered the Houston Dominican Sisters in Houston. This past September 25 she celebrated her 75th Jubilee at St. Dominic Villa with her community, family, and friends. She was jubilant, even at 99.

Sister received her B.S. from Incarnate Word in San Antonio and her M.S. from U.T. in Austin. She served in schools in Houston (All Saints, St. Agnes Academy), Port Arthur, Galveston, Taylor, and Austin. In 1960 she became business manager for Bishop L. J. Reicher of Austin and served in that capacity for 24 years. In 1984 Sister returned to Houston where she managed the gift shop at St. Dominic Villa, selling the items which she and the sisters created.

One of her reflections on her early life included this statement: “We were taught to live in harmony with each other and respect our parents. Once we decided upon a way of life, we were to give our best and persevere in that state, married or religious.” Her example of faithful perseverance for 75 years is evidence that she took to heart her parents’ advice.

Sister’s body will be welcomed at St. Dominic Villa on Tuesday, October 23, at 4:00 p.m. The wake will be that evening at 7:00; the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m. All services are at St. Dominic Villa. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.

In lieu of the usual remembrances, donations may be made to Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 6501 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77021.