Sister Theresa Pasterczyk (Sister Mary Jan), 1930–2025

Sister Theresa Pasterczyk of Waltham entered eternal life in the loving arms of her God on Saturday morning June 28, 2025, at the Marillac Assisted Living Facility in Wellesley at the age of 94.

Born on August 21, 1930, beloved daughter of Jan and Aniela (Jakubczyk) Pasterczyk. Sr. Theresa was born into a family of one boy, and five girls who are all deceased.

Sister Theresa entered the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary in Lowell, Massachusetts, on September. 8, 1961 and made her first profession of vows on March 8, 1964.

She did secretarial work in our Waltham convent from December 1964 until 1966. Sister received her mission assignment to Peru in October, 1968, where she ministered in pastoral ministry and teaching in Chulucanas. Sister worked in the mountain areas of Peru through 1970 and then went into prison ministry in the Maranga district of Lima, Peru, through 1974. After her home visit and renewal, Sister Theresa continued in prison ministry until 1984, when she returned to the United States.

In 1992, she went to a new mission in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, where she worked as a pastoral minister for a year. The years from 1992 to 1996 were spent in Waco, Texas, in Hispanic ministry. She returned to Waltham in 1997. Sister Theresa served in ministry in several areas of Texas until June of 2000. Sister Theresa returned to Peru to work in prison ministry until her transfer to North America in 2012.

Sister Theresa moved to Marillac Assisted Living facility in Wellesley in 2014.

She was predeceased by her dear siblings and their spouses, Boleslaw “William” and his wife Marie Pasterczyk, Sr. Olivia Pasterczyk, Stella Pasterczyk, Josephine Garbowski and her husband Ted Garbowski, Antonina Blatus and her husband Michael Blatus.

She is survived by her many cherished nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, extended family members as well as her devoted & loving Community of Marist Missionary Sisters.

A Mass of the Resurrection in celebration of Sister Theresa’s life was held at the Marist Missionary Sisters Residence, 62 Newton St, Waltham, on Thursday morning, July 3. Interment was in the Marist Missionary Sisters Lot at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Watertown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Marist Missionary Sisters
349 Grove St.
Waltham, MA. 02453-6018

From Brasco Funeral Home.