Born September 29, 1887, in Raywick, Ky., Mary Columba was the youngest of the six children who lived to adulthood in the family of John and Teresa Hamilton Thompson. Mary Columba’s early school days were at St. Francis Xavier School in Raywick taught by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. After finishing high school, Columba took a normal course in Lebanon and received certification for teaching in the public schools of Marion County. She was involved in many parish activities at St. Francis Xavier. After 10 years of teaching, Mary Columba felt a calling to the religious life and entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph. She received the Ursuline habit on May 5, 1914, and became Sister Teresita.
Sister Teresita taught in Mount Saint Joseph Academy. Five years later, she was appointed principal and superior of St. Hubertus Academy in Owensboro, later known as St. Joseph High School. In 1922, Sister Teresita was elected treasurer of the community by the general chapter and held that office for two terms (1922-1928). She was elected mother superior by the general chapter in 1928 and reelected for a second term (1928-1934). She was elected treasurer in 1934 and served one term. She was elected mother superior again, in 1937, and reelected in 1940. In 1943, she served as assistant to the treasurer for six years.
During Sister Teresita’s 21 years of leadership, the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph numbered around 400 members. Significant world events during these years were the Great Depression of the late twenties and early thirties, and the outbreak of World War II. These impacted the growing community and its educational works. Another consequential event was the erection of the Diocese of Owensboro on December 9, 1937. Sister Teresita was a woman of great spiritual strength, physical stamina, deep compassion, and undaunted commitment to all things Ursuline.
Sister suffered a mild stroke in 1962 leaving her speech impaired. She was hospitalized for six weeks from a broken ankle in 1964, but through it all found strength to be vigilant for the welfare of the community. Sister Teresita died peacefully on March 9, 1969. (Sister Frances Borgia Wathen died March 10). On March 12, Msgr. Albert Thompson, chaplain, and Father Bernard Powers concelebrated the Mass for this double funeral service. Sister Teresita and Sister Frances Borgia’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery.