Mary Martina, one of 10 children of William Francis and Serena (Thompson) Thompson, was born September 4, 1905, in Loretto, Ky. Her faith journey began with baptism at St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Francis, Ky., on September 10.
Her formal education began at Loretto Public School in September 1911, and she remained there to complete the eight grades. When she was ready for high school, she transferred to St. Francis High School, Chicago, Kentucky for two years, and came to the Mount Saint Joseph Academy for her final two years.
On June 11, 1922, she, along with 12 other young women, entered the Mount Saint Joseph novitiate. They were joined in January by three other candidates for the three-year preparation for the life of an Ursuline educator. Mary Martina was invested with the Ursuline habit, and received the name Sister Joseph Therese on March 19, 1923.
Shortly after professing temporary vows, Sister was assigned to St. Rose High School, Cloverport, Ky. She continued to teach in high school for 42 years, principally in the area of math and physics, often also serving as principal. Following her first assignment in Cloverport, she was sent to Hardinsburg, Ky., Nebraska City, Neb., Waverly, Ky., New Haven, Ky., and Mount Saint Joseph Academy. In 1960, she was elected Mother Zelatrix for two consecutive three-year terms. In 1966, she returned to teaching high school at New Haven, and Nebraska City. For several years, she taught during the summer session at Brescia College. She served in internal ministry at Mount Saint Joseph as executive secretary from 1973 to 1983 and as assistant secretary until 1988 when she retired because of ill health.
Sister Joseph Therese died in Mount Saint Joseph infirmary the early morning of December 10, 1997. Her funeral Mass was celebrated December 12, 1997, by Father Anthony Shonis, chaplain. Sister‘s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.