Sister Ann Therese Hedges, SSJ, died Sept. 19, 2017, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence in Clarence. She was 87.

The former Emily Hedges was born May 7, 1930, in Medina, to Carl and Anna Marie (Crowley) Hedges. She joined the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1948 and made final vows in 1954. She received a bachelor's degree in education from Mount St. Joseph Teachers' College, now Medaille College in Buffalo, in 1963 and a master's degree, also in education, from Medaille in 1970.

For 46 years, Sister Ann Therese taught at St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo. She also taught at schools in Buffalo, Blasdell, East Aurora, Fredonia and Java Center.

From 1996-2005, Sister Ann Therese served at Our Lady of Victory Hospital, the Lackawanna Food Pantry and the Our Lady of Victory Basilica gift shop. She retired in 2005 to focus on her lifelong interest in art, where she painted and taught classes at the sisters' residence.

 She is survived by siblings Margaret Prada, Kathleen Janush and Wayne, Michael and Brendan Hedges, and her siblings' families.

A funeral Mass was held at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence.