Sr. Therese Martin Fetch, RSM

Sister Therese Martin Fetch, RSM (Bernadette J. Fetch), a Pittsburgh Sister of Mercy for 65 years, died at the Convent of Mercy on Thursday, January 28, 2021. Born in Wilkinsburg, Pa. she was 83 years old. Daughter of Michael and Catherine (Strenko) Fetch, Sister Therese Martin entered the Sisters of Mercy from St. Aloysius Parish in 1955 and made final vows in 1961.

Sister Therese Martin received a BS degree from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) in Elementary Education. She taught in various area elementary schools, including St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Paul Cathedral, St. Peter, North Side, St. Pius V, McKeesport, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary. In the 1980s and 90s, she worked closely with the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, and served on its Board. Sister Therese Martin was honored for 25 years of service as a Parish Social Minister at St. Charles Lwanga Parish (Holy Rosary Parish), Homewood. In later years, she volunteered at Seven Sisters Gift Shop, Mercy Hospital, and the Motherhouse in Oakland.

Following in the footsteps of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, the Works of Mercy were the focus of Sister Therese Martin’s religious life. As a teacher, she looked beyond the misconduct, poor grades, and absenteeism of her students and focused on the “why” of the situations. After twelve years in the classroom, Sister Therese Martin launched out on her own to work with families in need at St. Peter Parish, McKeesport. Networking with Family and Children Services, she began Parish Social Ministry one year before it became a formal Diocesan Program in 1972. For twenty-nine years, Sister Therese Martin ministered as a Parish Social Minister at St. Peter Parish, McKeesport, and St. Charles Lwanga Parish in Homewood. Her sensitivity, resourcefulness, tough-love, compassion, and courage led her into the heart of people’s lives. Always the teacher, she created an environment of trust and hope for numerous families and individuals by helping them understand their needs and empowering them to take the initiative to do something about them. Thinking of others’ needs and responding in caring love was her Mercy vocation.

Preceded in death by her parents, Sister Therese Martin is survived by a brother Jerome Fetch of Parkersburg, W.Va., and three nieces, Michelle Webster, Angela Fetch, and Christine Fetch. There will be a private funeral service at the Convent of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Avenue, followed by interment in St. Xavier Cemetery, Latrobe. Arrangements entrusted to the EDWARD P. KANAI FUNERAL HOME, 500 Greenfield Avenue.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 3333 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213, or the Carlow University Scholarship Fund. Arrangements entrusted to the EDWARD P. KANAI FUNERAL HOME, 500 Greenfield Avenue.

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