Sister Thecla Mutsuye Tsuruda , M.M. Maryknoll Sister for 75 Years, Dies

Maryknoll, NY: Sister Thecla Mutsuye Tsuruda died on April 5, 2023 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was 98 years old and a Maryknoll Sister for 75 years.

On May 14, 1924, Mutsuye Tsuruda was born in Sacramento, CA to Sumo Shimazu Tsuruda and Ichigoro Tsurudo.  She had three brothers, Tom, Ben and Ray; her brother Tom survives her.  Ben and Ray have all pre-deceased her.

From 1939 to 1942, Sister Thecla attended Sacramento Senior High School in Sacramento, CA.   She attended the Metropolitan Business School, Los Angeles, CA for one and half years.  Then she attended and graduated from the Merchants & Bankers School of Business in New York City in 1963.  She entered Maryknoll on October 14, 1948 from her home parish of St. Francis Xavier, Los Angeles, CA. Thecla pronounced herS First Profession of Vows on May 8, 1951 in Valley Park, MO and her Final Vows on May 8, 1954 in Japan.

In 1953, she received her first mission assignment to Kyoto, Japan, where she studied the language for one year.  Subsequently in Saiin, Takano and Kyoto Sr. Thecla did pastoral work from 1954 to 1970.  In 1971, in Kyoto, she taught English to children and adults until 1974. In June of 1974, she moved to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY for Congregational Services in the Admissions/Orientation Department.

In 1975, Sister was assigned to the Central Pacific Region, Honolulu, HI, and for 10 years worked as a Catholic Social Service Outreach Worker for an Elderly Program.

Sr. Thecla moved from Hawaii to Monrovia, CA in 1985 for more Congregational Services.  There she assisted the elderly Sisters, driving them for appointments and shopping trips.  She stayed in Monrovia for three years.  Returning to Honolulu, HI in 1991 as a full time worker as Service Aide, Catholic Charities Services to Elderly until 1996.

In 1996, Sister retired to Monrovia, CA but continued to work as a volunteer driver, driving Sisters around.

Sister Thecla returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY in 2013.  Where she remained until her death.

Funeral Services:

A Vespers Service will be held for Sister Thecla Tsuruda on Monday, April 10, 2023 at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Maryknoll Sisters Center.