Therese Ann Maxwell
November 10, 1935 ~ March 13, 2022
Therese Ann Maxwell, 86, died on March 13, 2022 at the Franciscan House Hospice. Born on Nov. 10, 1935, she was the 6th of 7 children of John and Gladys Maxwell. Therese graduated from St. Roch Grade School and St. John Academy. She then entered the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary of the Woods and received her BS Ed while at the Woods. Later she finished her MS Ed from Indiana University. Therese continued her teaching career in the Perry Township School System. She was a Language Arts Teacher in Middle School and finished her career teaching 4th grade students at Lincoln Elementary.
Therese had many friends throughout the years. Some were her school teacher friends, others from the Megs, a euchre group which emerged from friends she made while at St. Mary of the Woods. Having attended Mass most weekends at the Carmelite Monastery she became involved with the Association of Contemplative Women and enjoyed participating in all of their activities including monthly regional meetings and retreats held all over the United States.
After retirement she joined a quilting group at St. Roch and quickly found new friends among the women in the group. We would be remiss if we failed to mention the more than 120 Christmas stockings she crocheted for each one in the family. Marriages, new babies, until recently as prolific demand exceeded production, all received their stockings when they became part of the Maxwell family. Maybe crafters of the next generation will take on that project.
Of course, her favorite friends were the members of our very large family which met periodically at Estes Park in Colorado for a family reunion. Brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews and all the in-laws, enjoyed the weeks we shared together making memories. Some have greeted her in Heaven. Predeceasing Therese were her parents, John and Gladys Maxwell, siblings Peter J., Thomas F., Therese (Tom’s wife), Mary (Mike’s wife), and a nephew, Vincent Maxwell, son of John and Marge Maxwell. She is survived by John (Marge), Michael, Mary Jane (Robert) Biro, Paula (Roger) Koch, and sister-in-law Carron Maxwell.
Therese led a very full life and lived it on her own terms. Those of us who knew her, felt privileged to be a part of her beautiful life.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Franciscan Hospice House who lovingly cared for her (and put up with all her visitors) during her 2 week stay with them.
Therese’s Life Celebration Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 16th, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM in the chapel at O’Riley Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis. Morning Prayers will be said at the funeral home prior to the celebration of Mass on Thursday morning at 12:30 PM. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday, March 17th at 1 PM in St. Roch Catholic Church, 3600 S. Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis.
Contributions may be made in her name to the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary of the Woods, St. Vincent DePaul Society or to your favorite charity.
O’Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family. Visit www.ORileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Therese was a dearest friend of my sister Mary and my entire family. Her loving friendship and loving smile will remain with us as our fondest memory
So sorry for your loss. I’m not able to get to the services but my thoughts and prayers are with you. Love to all! Fred and Mary Fields
May God bless you, Therese! You were kind to everyone. I was blessed to know you and all your family. Bonnie Schott
Miss Maxwell was our favorite neighbor. She always took time to talk with us kids and waved to us from her yard. I loved caring for her cats when she would travel out of town- Louis and Sophie were the sweetest. She was always very kind to me. I will miss her dearly, but am glad to own a set of her handmade Christmas stockings- I will remember her fondly each year when I put them up.
I have known Ms.Maxwell my whole life as my family and I were her neighbors. The day before she passed I wrote a poem about her for a school assignment unknowingly she would be go the next day. I would like to share this poem with you all. “Mix Maxwell” The name I once called her as a child Whose spirit is slowly withering away A beautiful soul full of many things They called her teacher,friend,neighbor,nun,sister,aunt, survivor of cancer, and a woman of God To my family and I she was much more than these Her friendship and love will be greatly missed As there will be an empty spot in my neighborhood
As far as I am concerned the word neighbor is synonymous with the name Therese Maxwell, and what a neighbor she was. For as long as I can remember my family and I have enjoyed backyard chats, homemade cookies and quality time with Miss Maxwell. I will always have memories of cat sitting for her while she was on vacation. The food and water dishes would be refilled, but not before I got a few jumps in on her mini trampoline in the basement. The two of us seemed to have an unspoken agreement that come winter time, I would be there to shovel the snow from her driveway. Come the following day, I would have a margarine butter container filled with chocolate chip cookies. We continued on that way for much of my childhood and adolescence. Moments from my youth that I will always cherish. More recently, I was able to share tea and stories with her as we filled each other in on our lives, periodically pausing to be nostalgic and chuckle about years past. Someone new may move into her house, but Miss Maxwell will always be our neighbor. Rest In Peace, Therese. You are already missed dearly.
Therese Maxwell was one of my best friends. We were in high school together and entered the convent together. After leaving the convent we remained close friends. She was in my wedding. There was the kind of friend who :you be frank and she will be honest. She was intelligent. caring. loyal and loving as well as an exemplary Catholic dedicated to her faith. I will miss her along with many of her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
Thank you Emma. You know that she loved you too. Your whole family was so special to her and she often spoke of you. She is watching you from Heaven now> When you miss her, just remember that she has seen God, her parents and brothers who preceded her. How happy she must be. ,
Thank you, Beverly. She often spoke of you. And one “funny” thing she told me was that you were in Lafayette, IN on February 29 having driven a busload of students to attend a Basketball game! She was living in an altered state and often said things that were way off the mark. Like seeing people in her living room and neighbors bringing over food for brunch. While I hated taking her to the ER, I knew she needed help. And she got it. But not in a way that we expected. Just know she has seen the face of God and is reunited with our parents and brothers. And she is no longer waiting for her eternal reward.
Thank you, Rachel. I know she missed you when you left the state. I am forever grateful that your family lived net door to Therese and treated her with so much kindness. Your Mom is a gem!
David, thank you for recognizing the fact that Mary and Therese were such great friends. Therese always had a picture of Mary on her refrigerator. Can you imagine their meeting in Heaven.
Thank you, Sam. Therese always was so grateful for having neighbors like you. She spoke of your family, and especially each one individually. She loved having the Balcas family living next door, Sometimes she would recall the games you played with your friends. Yes, she was special.