Posted on April 9, 2023
Dominican Sister of Peace Theresa, Damicone OP (89), died on February 13, 2023, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at the Dominican Sisters of Peace Motherhouse in Akron, OH.
Born to Amelia Caniglia and John Damicone in Ravenna, OH, Sr. Theresa was one of six siblings. After graduating high school, Sr. Theresa worked for an insurance company for several years before answering God’s call to religious life. She entered the Congregation in 1956, made first profession in 1958, and took her final vows in 1964. She will celebrate her 65th jubilee in heaven this year.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Education from Saint John College of Cleveland, Sr. Theresa began a 33-year-long ministry of education. She taught at a number of schools in her home state of Ohio, in Akron, Barberton, Cleveland, and Ravenna, while earning her Master of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Akron. A true Dominican at heart, Sr. Theresa loved to study and participated in a variety of workshops and seminars on topics ranging from Canon Law to the Enneagram, to Holistic Spirituality and Sacred Scripture.
Sr. Theresa was especially happy to minister at her beloved Our Lady of the Elms, a founded ministry of her Congregation, and also at her home parish of Immaculate Conception. She was commended for having a great influence on students and faculty, being an excellent teacher, and relating well to people.
Sr. Theresa also served her Congregation as Secretary for four terms in the 1980’s and 1990’s. She was a member of many boards and commissions including the Community and Spiritual Life Commission for the Congregation and the Board of Trustees for Our Lady of the Elms School.
As busy as she was with her ministries, Sr. Theresa loved to read and attend movies, lectures, and seminars. She was delighted to have been one of the “The Flying Nuns” who rode on the Goodyear airship Spirit of Akron.
During her final ministry of community service and even in the last months of her life, Sr. Theresa faithfully and generously attended to and participated in numerous community services.
She is survived by siblings Sister Marie Damicone, OP of Our Lady of the Elms, Paul Damicone of Ravenna, and Frances (Patrick) Neeley of Dagsboro, DE, and sisters-in-law JoAnn (Bruno) Damicone of Ravenna and Karen (Marshall) Damicone of Munroe Falls. Additional survivors include a niece, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and a large extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers John V. Damicone and Vincent T. Damicone.
A sharing of memories and funeral mass were held on February 21, 2023, at the Akron Motherhouse Chapel. Sr. Theresa was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery.
To donate in Sr. Theresa’s memory, please click here.
To download a printable copy of this memorial, click here.
Memorial gifts in Sr. Theresa Damicone’s memory may be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr. Columbus, OH 43219 or oppeace.org.