Sister Therese Forker, O.P., a Sister of St. Dominic, Amityville, for 69 years, died Jan. 19 at Maria Regina Residence, Brentwood. She was 87.Born in Most Holy Redeemer parish, Freeport, L.I., she became acquainted with the Dominican Sisters at the Dominican Juniorate, Water Mill, L.I.
She entered the congregation in 1943. One year later, she received the habit and her religious name, Sister Mary Norbert. She pronounced her religious vows on Aug. 8, 1945.
She taught at St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Albans, 1945-51; Cure of Ars, Merrick, L.I., 1951-55; Incarnation, Queens Village, 1955-60; Dominican Commercial H.S., Jamaica, 1960-66; St. Agnes H.S., Rockville Centre, L.I., 1966-69; and Maria Regina H.S., Uniondale, L.I., 1969-71.
In the area of special education, she ministered in the diocesan office in Rockville Centre, 1972-74. While living at Paraclete House in Whitestone, she taught special education children at St. Luke School, 1974-75. She was a supervisor for the New York Archdiocese, visiting various schools, 1975-79. This led to her ministry with the One-to-One Foundation, 1979-81.
Her expertise was also called upon at Catholic Charities, Rockville Centre, 1981-82; Community Resource Center, the Bronx, 1982-83; and as a consultant at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory in Arlington, Va., 1983-84.
Returning to New York, she took charge of the special education program in St. Patrick School, Bay Ridge, 1984-86, and St. John’s School, Center Moriches, L.I., 1986-91.
In 1991, she started the Success Through Expanded Education Program (STEEP) for learning disabled students at Molloy College, Rockville Centre. She devised ways to help the learning disabled with extra assistance, with study skills and accommodations for testing. She also served as an adjunct in the education department, teaching various methods and approaches for teaching students with special needs. She continued in this ministry until she retired in 1999.
She is survived by her brother, Paul of Bay Shore, L.I.; her sister, Catherine Lynch of Atlanta, Ga.; and her sister, Joan Curran of Pennsylvania.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in Rosary Hall Chapel, Amityville, Jan. 25. Interment in the Sisters’ Cemetery followed.
Sister Therese, I just loved Her. I’m Sister Eileen Dunn’s Niece. So I have known Sister Therese my whole life. She always treated me like a person not a child. I also felt I could go to her for anything..Thanks for Being in My Life and You will Always be Remembered.