Theresa Siew, OCDS: Obituary

Our dear sister in Carmel, Theresa Siew, was called home to her beloved Lord and Our Lady of Mount Carmel on April 13th 2020 at Nazareth House in Christchurch. She was surrounded in prayer by her daughter, Mary Siew, on video link from Korea, the Sisters and friends at Nazareth House and the many prayers from our Carmelite family.

Theresa loved her Carmelite family, and in those early years before her health declined, she enriched our Peace of Christ Community with her warm, charitable personality and good sense of humour. I personally remember her with always a smile on her face, and looking at you with her kind eyes, while holding your hand.

Theresa attended Mass and Adoration at the Holy Cross Chapel in Chancery Lane, where she first met Fr Pat Kennedy and then Fr Ray Schmack. It was at this time that Theresa asked Fr Ray who she could contact, as she wished to join a Catholic group of lay people. She was directed to Eddie Rodden, one of our Carmelite members, who is still active in our Community. He invited Theresa to one of our Sunday meetings and thus began her journey into our family of Carmel. Theresa greatly valued the friendship of Eddie and his late wife, Doris.

• Theresa entered Formation on 2.5.1999 with Fr Barry Leech, S.M.
• 1st Promise: 6.5.2001 with Fr John Jolliffe, S.M.
• Definitive Promise: 5.9.2004 with Fr John Jolliffe, S.M. (Carmel Monastery, Christchurch)