Sister Rose Therese Shaw died Jan. 13, 2016, in the St. Clare Community of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, at age 88.

The former Gloria Irene Shaw was born Jul 13, 1927, in Portland, Maine, the daughter of John E. and Rose (Maguire) Shaw. She joined the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 1946 and professed her final vows in 1953.

She attended college at St. Elizabeth Teachers' College, now part of St. Bonaventure University, receiving a bachelor's degree in education. Sister Rose Therese also took graduate courses at the Catholic Theological Union in Washington, D.C., and the University of St. Michael's College in Toronto. She also studied at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, and received a history certification.

From 1947-1980, Sister Rose Therese taught elementary and high school in both New York and New Jersey. In the Diocese of Buffalo, she taught for eight years at Archbishop Walsh High School in Olean. After she finished teaching, she served as a school library tutor at St. Joseph's in Niagara Falls.

She retired in 1997 and lived at St. Joseph's Convent in Niagara Falls until 2001, when she retired to live at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, where she helped in the order's community mailroom.

Sister Rose Therese is survived by nieces, nephews and their families.

A funeral Mass was held in the chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, with burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany.