Obituary of Sr. Teresa Regina Confroy, SC

Sister Teresa Regina Confroy, (91), a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died August 12, 2024, at Complete Care at Saint Vincent’s, Cedar Grove, NJ.

Sister Teresa Regina was born in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of Edward A. and Jessie (Gebhard) Confroy; she was the youngest of eleven children. Sister Teresa entered the Sisters of Charity on April 2, 1951, and was a member for 73 years.

Sister Teresa Regina graduated from St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Paterson NJ with a Diploma in Nursing. She received a BSN in Nursing from Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ and an MSN in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

Sister Teresa Regina began her ministry as a second-grade teacher at St. Michael’s School, Union City, NJ. She studied at the College of Saint Elizabeth (now University) Morristown, NJ at the same time. After this, Sister Teresa began her more than 65 years of service in health care as a Registered Nurse. She served at Saint Joseph Hospital & Medical Center, Paterson for more than 23 years. During this time, she served as Staff Nurse, Head Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, Clinical Specialist, Director of Nursing and Vice President for Patient Care Services.

Sister Teresa Regina also served in the Ocean County, NJ Health Department for more than 17 years. She was Staff Nurse in Home Care, Supervisor of Clinic Services and Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing there.

Sister Teresa Regina served in ministry to the Sisters of Charity as well. She was the first Coordinator of the Health and Lifestyle Transition Services Office and later served as nurse for the Motherhouse local community at Convent Station.

In 2022 Sister Teresa Regina moved to Saint Joseph’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cedar Grove where she resided until her death.

Sister Teresa was known as a competent, compassionate, caring person. Her gifts for leadership were recognized and she served as a mentor to many young nurses. Her wisdom was frequently sought by clinical staff and others. Sister Teresa loved her family and remained close to them through the years.

Sister Teresa was predeceased by her parents, her sisters Jessie Coakley, Mildred Ehret, Elizabeth Scheick, Cecilia Meringer and Mary Mayer, her brothers Edward Confroy Jr, Andrew Confroy, Reverend Mark Confroy, OSB, James Confroy and Abbot Thomas Confroy, OSB, her nieces Barbara Davis, Marie Koelbel, and Sister Elizabeth Scheick, SC. Sister Teresa’s sister-in-law, Patricia Confroy died on July 14 of this year.

Sister Teresa is survived by the Sisters of Charity, numerous loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

The wake for Sister Teresa Regina Confroy will be held on Wednesday, August 21, from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM in Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM; the Mass will be livestreamed. Burial in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station, will immediately follow the mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S. J. Priola Funeral Home, Lake Hiawatha, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P.O. Box 476, Convent Station, NJ, 07961- 0476, would be appreciated.