Marian Therese Knohles
April 5, 1925 - December 22, 2009
Obituary
Sister Marian Therese Kohles, SP
Sister Marian ‘Therese’ Kohles Sr. Mary Bernice died on December 22, 2009 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, Washington at 84 years of age, after 64 years as a Sister of Providence. The Vigil Service will be held on December 29, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent, 4831 35th Avenue Southwest, Seattle, WA. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on December 30, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Seattle, WA. Bonney-Watson Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements.
Sister Therese was the eighth of 14 children born to Marie Freis and Michael Kohles on April 5, 1925 in Oakland, California. Her father was an automobile mechanic and her mother was a loving homemaker.
She attended Saint Elizabeth Elementary School and St. Elizabeth High School in Oakland, California which were in the same building. She and her siblings were in the St. Elizabeth schools from 1919-1955. While in high school, she worked as a billing clerk for a freight company and continued in this job for several years after graduation. In 2000, she was honored as the 2000 NCEA Catholic Elementary School Distinguished Graduate by the National Catholic Educational Association NCEA.
At an early age, she had an inner knowledge that she would eventually enter religious life and entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of Providence on May 18, 1945.
She attended Auerswald Business College in Seattle, WA. She received a B.S. in Nursing at Seattle University, Seattle, WA in 1959 and received her M.A. Degree in Nursing, with a minor in Education, at the University of Washington in 1962. She took Theological Studies at Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA and St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA from 1983-1988.
She was in financial management at Providence Hospital in Seattle, WA from 1946-54. She also served as Director of Finance, 1951-54; Assistant Administrator, 1962-67; and Director of Nursing Services, 1964-67.
At Providence Hospital in Everett, WA, she was Head Nurse in Surgical Services from 1960-61. She was an instructor in the School of Nursing at Seattle University, Seattle, WA from 1964-65; staff nurse at the University of California Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, 1967-69; Director, Educational Services, Rogue Valley Memorial Hospital, Medford, OR, 1969-77; Director, Providence Child Center, Portland, OR, 1977-83; Assistant Administrator, Mission Effectiveness, St. Joseph Medical Center, Burbank, CA, 1985-89; and served in Mission Effectiveness and as a Sister Representative at Providence Hospital in Oakland, CA until she formerly retired in 1994.
She was involved in three research activities from 1965 – 1977 and wrote four publications regarding quality assurance in nursing and communication values in the administrative process.
She enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved sports, was an avid tennis player, and enjoyed playing tennis with her brothers. Her brother, Greg, was a nationally ranked tennis player in the Northern California Tennis Association. She also enjoyed swimming and bowling.
Sr. Therese was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters. She is survived by one sister, Julie Cupp Richard, Moraga, California and four brothers, Francis Honey, Moraga, California; Donald Barbara, Mariposa, CA; Greg Cynthia, Calistoga, CA; Richard Jean, Hayden, Idaho; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and great-grandnephews.
Memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Sisters of Providence Retirement Fund, 1801 Lind Avenue SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057-9016.
My condolences to the family of Sister Therese on her recent passing. She was the epitome of grace in her handling of her illness over the past few years. It was always a pleasure to see her and hear her talk about her family, especially her great-niece. My sincerest sympathies.
Henry Li
The love which overflowed to others in Sr. Therese’s life is truly inspirational. I was honored to assist with the music for her Services. Sr. Yvonne
Sister Therese was a beautiful and strong woman, who will be missed by her loving family and sisters. Although we missed the services because of the day/date confusion, our thoughts are with you.
Sister Therese will be greatly missed. She was a constant source of support while we worked together .I could still feel it after she had to resign. My prayers are with her family during this dificult time