Teresa F. Stanley (nee Finegan), of St. Martha Manor, Downingtown, formerly of Havertown, PA., passed away on Friday March 6, 2009 at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester, PA. She was 81.


Mrs. Stanley was the beloved wife of the late Herbert A. Stanley, Jr., whom she married April 15, 1950 and had six children to whom she was a dedicated mother working at home until her husband's illness sent her to work outside the home. Teresa first worked at Archbishop John Carroll School in Radnor, PA., where her daughters were attending school and then later as parish secretary until 1998 for Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, the church where she was baptized, married and will be buried from.

A deep faith sustained Mrs. Stanley through many years and she shared her fairth by serving as lector, usher and also Eucharistic Minister at St. Denis and St. Norbert Parish. Her shining moment was her Promise Date, May 4, 1984 when she became an Augustinian Secular. Secular Augustinians are one branch of the Augustinian family, made up of lay people (men and women) who are called to live the Christian faith following the inspiration of Augustinian spirtituality, and recognized as a lay organization by the Church. A Secular Augustinian shares the Religious Order's spirit and is governed by the Order and collaborates in its work. Yet its members do not take public vows nor live the community life. Their role is designed for people "living in the world".

An avid sports fan, Mrs. Stanley and her husband had season tickets to Villanova Basketball up until the time her husband became ill, after which they then enjoyed watching the games on TV. You could always count on Teresa watching the Phillies or Eagles game routinely and she just loved all sports, from watching men's and women's college basketball to watching the Little League World Series.


Mrs. Stanley was born in Bryn Mawr and attended West Catholic High School for Girls graduating in 1945. A knee injury ended her basketball playing days, but she enjoyed her time with the West Catholic girls basketball team as the elected manager. She then attended Villanova University going at night for business.

Mrs. Stanley lived in Havertown, where her 6 children grew up, until 1996 and was a member of St. Denis Parish. In 1996 she moved to Paoli Point and true to form she became a member of their Board and enjoyed her time there until she moved to St. Martha's in 2006. She enjoyed 3 years at St. Martha's, living in the Independent Living Community, Assisted Living and then on to the Manor Nursing Home.

Mrs. Stanley was the devoted mother of Rev. Michael H. Stanley, O.S.A., Richard H. (Erin), Robert M., Joan R. Stanley, Patricia S. Vance (George) and the late Philip M. Stanley. Loving sister of Elizabeth Zimmerman and the late Margaret "Peggy" Clark. Dear grandmother of Michelle Worden (Jon), Nikki Axford (Seth), Derek Stanley, Blake Maxwell, Shawn Maxwell, Jessica M. Stanley, Brett Stanley, Melissa E. Vance and Andrew T. Vance. Great-grandmother of Madelyn, Jonathon and Dylan Worden. She is also survived by daughters-in-law Ruta Stanley and Deborah Arters; and numerous nieces and nephews.


A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday March 11, 10:00 AM at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church, 31 Pennswood Rd., Bryn Mawr, PA. Interment will be in St. Denis Cemetery, Havertown, PA. Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM at McConaghy Funeral Home, 328 W. Lancaster Ave. Ardmore, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Augustinian Missions Fund, P.O. Box 340, Villanova, PA 19085.