Sister Martin de Porres Orford, Mary Theresa Orford

Sister Martin de Porres Orford, Mary Theresa Orford, died peacefully on October 17, 2013, at St. Francis Home.

Mary Theresa was born in Chicago, IL, on June 26, 1919, to Andrew Orford and Alice Andrews Orford.  Mary Therese was one of seven children, three boys and four girls.  She made profession of vows, as Sister Martin de Porres, in the Congregation of St. Agnes on August 15, 1940. 

Sister received a BA in Education from Marian College of Fond du Lac, a Certificate for Ministry from Loyola University, New Orleans, and a Certificate in Pastoral Ministry from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.  She was a teacher in grades 5 through 8 for 31 years in Wisconsin, Indiana, New York, and Illinois. Sister did parish ministry and pastoral care for nine years in Mobile, AL, Rosemount, MN, and Hays, KS.  She also did prison ministry which included writing to prisoners.

Sister Martin de Porres was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Alice Orford, her brothers Paul, James, and David, and her sisters Ethel, Lucy, and Sister Mel, who was also a member of the Sisters of St. Agnes.  She is survived by her cousin Sue Molay, by friends, and by the Sisters of St. Agnes, with whom she lived, prayed, and ministered.

Visitation and Prayer Service for Sister Martin de Porres will be Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., in St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett St, Fond du Lac, WI.

The Mass of Christian Burial, with Father Ken Smits, OFM, Cap., presiding, will also be at St. Francis Home Chapel at 2:30 p.m., directly following the Prayer Service.  The burial will follow at St. Joseph Springs Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the Sisters of St. Agnes Development Office, 320 County Road K, Fond du Lac, WI 54937.

The Sisters of St. Agnes are grateful to the nurses and staff of Nazareth Court and Center/St. Francis Home for their care of Sister Martin de Porres in her last year and to the staff of Hospice Hope.

Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Agnes. www.zacherlfuneralhome.com