Teresa Noma was born to Thomas Albertus and Mary Gervase Harp O’Bryan on April 27, 1924, in Marion County, Ky. Her faith journey began with baptism on May 2, 1924, at Saint Francis of Assisi church in St. Francis, Ky. When Teresa Noma was 4 years old, her father died. She also had a brother who died.
After the death of her husband, Mary Gervase O’Bryan kept house for the priest at Howardstown, Ky. There, Teresa Noma began her educational endeavors at St. Ann School. However, before she was out of elementary school, they moved to Louisville. Since Mary O’Bryan could not work and care for her daughter, Teresa went to live in Saint Joseph Orphan Home in Louisville. Here she was surrounded by loving care and expressed many wonderful memories of this time in her life. Teresa was confirmed there by the Most Rev. John Floersh, D.D., on May 31, 1938. She attended the Ursuline Academy in Louisville, completing her high school education. After reaching the age in which the Orphan Home released their charges, Teresa Noma moved back with her mother and began her work career as an accounting clerk in various businesses throughout the years before coming to Mount Saint Joseph.
According to a letter written by Dominican Priest Father P. F. Connolly, Teresa wanted religious life for many years, but her mother was not of the same mind. Her mother died June 26, 1961. Teresa immediately started the journey toward her religious vocation. On September 7, 1961, Teresa O’Bryan, at the age of 37, entered the postulancy program of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph. On August 14, 1962, Teresa received the name of Sister Mary Albert. She professed perpetual vows on August 15, 1969.
Sister Mary Albert fulfilled her ministry of education at the Kentucky schools of Saint Francis School in Loretto, St. Edward School, Jeffersontown, St. Catherine School, New Haven, St. Mary Magdalene School, Sorgho, and St. Romuald School, Hardinsburg, as well as Lourdes High School in Nebraska City, Neb. Her desire “to work for a cause…” led her to outreach ministry at St. Boniface, Louisville, to Mercy Hospital, Owensboro, Ky., and Morristown, Tenn. In Morristown, Sister Mary Albert worked with developmentally disabled adult males, teaching them self‑care and housekeeping skills. Sister Mary Albert ably ministered in many positions at the Motherhouse. She could be found in the kitchen, diet kitchen, dairy and business office. She served as Assistant Local Coordinator and as Director of Transportation. From 1999 until January 2003, she ministered part‑time at Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center as receptionist.
Sister Mary Albert was diagnosed with leukemia in mid‑January 2003. She began putting her affairs in order and was a beautiful example of one facing death and not afraid. Many of her community members visited her and came away impressed with her witness. On July 16, 2003, Sister Mary Albert met her maker, God, and her spouse, Jesus. She asked for a simple service. Her wake was held Friday evening July 18th with Sister Rita Scott as leader. Sister Rose Marita O’Bryan, congregational leader, spoke in remembrance. Sister Mary Eileen Howard was organist. The funeral liturgy was Saturday morning July 19th at 10:30 a.m., with Father Joseph Mills, celebrant. Sister Mary Albert was buried in the convent cemetery.