Sister Therese (Jeremy) Mackin, BVM
Sister Therese (Jeremy) Mackin, BVM, 93, died Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque, Iowa.
Private funeral services were Monday, June 21, 2021. Burial is in the Mount Carmel Cemetery.
She was born on May 4, 1928, in St. Anthony, Iowa, to John and Josephine (Welch) Mackin. She entered the BVM congregation Sept. 8, 1950, from Sacred Heart Parish, St. Anthony, Iowa. She professed first vows on March 19, 1953, and final vows on July 16, 1958.
Sister Therese ministered at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, as an associate professor of speech/drama, dean of students, director of planned giving, coordinator and director of development, vice president of institutional advancement, assistant to the president, and executive vice president. She served as an elementary teacher at St. Anthony in Dubuque, as well as in Council Bluffs, both in Iowa; Omaha, Neb.; and Boulder, Colo.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers John, Thomas, James, Joseph, Gerald, and William Mackin; and a sister Mary Mackin. She is survived by nieces, nephews, and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 70 years.
Memorials may be given to the BVM Support Fund, 1100 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003 or make an online gift.
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I had the honor of working with Therese from 1984 to 1987 when I was Director of Alumni and she was Director of Development. I am fortunate to have numerous fond memories of this strong, willful, warm and kind Irish woman. She was a force in her own right and I learned many life lessons from working with her including how to train volunteers, how to speak correctly to groups, and most importantly, how to be loyal and understanding no matter the situation. I must admit, I was in fear of her as a student when she served as our Dean of Students but when I returned to Clarke as an adult, one month after the fire, I became respectful of her. I am 63 now and I will forever be in awe of Therese. How blessed I am to have known her. She will always have a special place in my heart. Rest in peace dear lady!
Sister Therese Mackin, BVM, a woman of strong faith who listened with the ear of her heart. Her generous spirit lives in the abundant fruit of the work of her hands and heart through her community and many, many Clarke alums. I am most grateful for her guiding presence and wisdom, especially during the 1974-75 academic year.
One of my favorite memories of Therese is from a number of years ago when she introduced Maya Angelou at Clarke and spoke of heroes and “sheroes”, describing Maya of course as a “sheroe”. Therese in all of her many ministries, was truly a “sheroe”.