ST. LOUIS — Sister Therese Leonard, OSU, also known as Sister Martin de Porres Leonard, died Sept. 27 at St. Clare Health Care Center in Fenton. She served many years in the Springfield diocese.

She was born the daughter of Howard Thomas Leonard and Barbara Agnes O'Kane Leonard on Jan. 16, 1932 in St. Paul, Minn. She entered the Ursuline Sisters in January 1952, professing her vows in July 1954. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Fontbonne College (now University) in St. Louis and a master of arts degree from St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn. She also did post-graduate work at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.

In Springfield, Sister Therese taught at Blessed Sacrament School from 1957-1958; St. Joseph School from 1958-1959; and at St. Aloysius School from 1959-1963. She was principal of St. Thomas School in Decatur from 1974-1980, at St. Ambrose School in Godfrey from 1980-1981 and at St. Aloysius School in Springfield from 1981-1985. She had numerous other assignments in schools and parishes in Missouri and one in Texas. In her last assignment, she was pastoral associate at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Hazelwood, Mo., from 2004-2012.

Sister Therese retired to the Ursuline Queen of Peace health care community in Alton in 2012 and recently moved to St. Andrew's at St. Francis Place in Eureka.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Leona Leonard Engert; a brother, Hugh Leonard; and a sister-in-law, Jeri Leonard.

Sister Therese is survived by a brother, Harold "Red" Leonard; a sister, Donna Leonard; a sister-in-law, Mary Leonard; and many devoted nieces and nephews.

Her life was celebrated in a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Martin de Porres Church in Hazelwood on Oct. 1, with burial in St. Peter's Cemetery in Kirkwood.

Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, 353 S. Sappington Road, Kirkwood, MO 63122.