Sister Tekakwitha, superior, 96

Sister of the Holy Family Mary Tekakwitha Vega (Teresita Lelia Vega), former congregational leader, died Feb. 19.

She was the daughter of Gregorio and Margarita Vega and was born on Aug. 5, 1928, in Belize City, Belize, Central America. She was 96 years old.

 Sister Tekakwitha entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family on March 4, 1945, made her first vows on Sept. 8, 1947, and perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1952. She spent almost 80 years as a Sister of the Holy Family.

Sister Tekakwitha taught at All Saints Elementary School in New Orleans from 1949-51 and St. Nicholas in Houston, Texas from 1952-58. She studied at Mary Mount College in Salinas, Kansas, 1958-61, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary and high school education. 

She was assigned to Regina Caeli High School in Compton, California. For the next 12 years (1962-74), she taught young ladies, earned a life specialization in secondary teaching in Spanish and history, from the state of California, was a local leader and rose to the vice principal position.

With her election to vicar general of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1974, Sister Tekakwitha returned to New Orleans. She served as superior general (congregational leader) from 1978-86. In her tenure, the project for St. John Berchmans Manor, a HUD project for the elderly and disabled residents, was undertaken. 

When Delille Inn was completed in 1987, Sister Tekakwitha served as administrator for the next 25 years. She joined the prayer ministry group at the motherhouse until she moved to Lafon Nursing Facility almost two years ago, where she continued her ministry until her death.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Feb. 26 at the Chapel of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans and she was interred at St. Louis Cemetery No. 2.