Theresa Ann Brown

Sister Theresa Ann Brown, OSF, 89, passed away on July 10, 2022 at Marian Convent in Santa Maria, California. She was born on July 20, 1932 to Martin Brown and Ann Sexton in El Centro, California. Theresa Ann grew up in Santa Maria, where she graduated from Santa Maria High School. As a parishioner at St. Mary's Church in Santa Maria she met the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity. Theresa Ann felt a call from God and decided to join the Sisters in 1952. She made her novitiate in Sierra Madre, California, and took her first vows in 1954. Known at that time as Sister Mary Michael, Sister made her perpetual vows as a Sister of St. Francis in 1957. A number of years later, when it was permitted, Sister returned to her baptismal name of Theresa Ann. Sister Theresa Ann taught in a number of grade schools staffed by the Sisters of St. Francis in both Southern California and Sacramento. She received her BA degree from Immaculate Heart College in 1965 while teaching in the area. After 33 years as a teacher, Sister then changed her ministry and became a nurse. She served in this capacity in various hospitals in Southern California. After some time in this profession, Sister then trained as a pastoral associate in healthcare through the Clinical Pastoral Education department at Stanford University Medical Center and St. Mary's Medical Center in San Francisco . Sister moved to Santa Maria in 1999 and joined the pastoral care department at Marian Regional Medical Center where she ministered until her retirement. Sister Theresa Ann especially loved working with mothers and babies, and often shared stories about them with the other Sisters. Even after her retirement, she delighted whenever she was with babies and small children. Sister's health began to fail, and she moved to Marian Convent in 2008. There she joined the other Sisters in daily Mass as long as she was able and enjoyed all the creative activities that were provided for them. She was well loved by her caregivers who often took Sister for walks on the property of the Convent. Sister Theresa Ann declined rapidly the last few days of her life. The Sisters kept vigil at her bedside the last day or two as she went home to the God she had served all her life. Sister was preceded in death by her parents and several siblings. She is survived by three of her sisters and one brother, and by her Sisters of St. Francis province. A vigil service will be held on Wednesday, July 13th at 7 pm in the chapel at Marian Residence, 124 South College Drive Santa Maria, California. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 am on Thursday, July 14th at Marian Residence chapel. Monsignor Emidigio Herrera will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the new section of the Santa Maria Cemetery.