Sr. Therese Duross (Sarah Ward Duross) of Worcester, MA. January 1, 1927 – June 12 2024. Sally, as she was known, was born in Chestnut Hill to George H. Duross and Helen Curtiss and was the oldest of four daughters, Toby McDowell, Mary Duross and Georgianna Hannum Stapleton all of whom precede her in death. Sally attended the Ravenhill Academy in East Falls and graduated in 1944. Notably she was a classmate of Grace Kelly and played field hockey with her for a number of years. Sally then went to Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart in Purchase, NY and graduated in 1948.
Upon graduation, Sally joined the Religious of the Assumption, an international Roman Catholic women’s congregation founded by Saint Marie Eugenie Milleret in Paris in 1839. She was the first graduate of Ravenhill to join the Order. Sally professed her vows in 1951 and selected the name Therese Margaret. She remained an Assumption Sister for the rest of her life – all of 73 years. Sally travelled to the many of the Orders’ houses in the Philippines, France, Spain, Japan, El Salvador and the US and eventually resided in Worcester, MA at Assumption College where she taught for many years. Sally served the congregation as a General Councilor at the Motherhouse in Paris, Provincial Superior of the United States, Local Superior in Lansdale (PA) and Worcester (MA), and as a formator for new Sisters. She obtained two Masters degrees, an MA in History from Villanova University in 1965 and an MA in religious Studies from St. Louis University in 1965.
Sally loved and was loved by her Assumption sisters and all of her many nieces and nephews, their husbands and wives and all their children. She never forgot birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, always sending thoughtful notes and well wishes. She was a trusted confidant and always offered the love of God to help in times of despair. Her faith and devotion guided her through a long life and her memories and influence will be long lasting.
A funeral mass will be held at the Daylesford Abbey in Paoli on August 23 at 10:30am.
