Obituaries - June 16, 2013 - Rev. Mary Therese "Terrie" Modesto
The Rev. Mary Therese "Terrie" Modesto, 57, died June 16, 2013, from pulmonary (lupus) disease in Millington, Md. She had served in extension ministries since 2003. A funeral service was held June 20 at St. James UMC in Westminster with her cousin, Mike Ault, a priest, officiating. Pastor Rollins Johnson, retired, participated.
Modesto with over 23 years of pastoral experience in urban, exurbia and rural congregational settings and grief support ministries. She served as associate at Hiss UMC, 1990; associate at Bethesda-Zion in Sykesville, 1992-1995; St. James-Stone Chapel, Westminster, 1995-2000; when she was appointed to the Texas Charge in Cockeysville. A year later she went to Olive Branch-Good Shepherd Charge for two years, until in 2003, she transferred into extension ministry and was loaned to the Penn-Del. Conference.
She was an internationally recognized thanatologist (a specialist in dying, death and bereavement issues). She specialized in critical incidents and multiple/mass fatality occurrences including natural disasters, epidemic/pandemic-related mass fatalities, community grief preparedness, endurance and post-event grief recovery. She had extensive knowledge and specialization in community and faith based death related services and ministries.
Modesto received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and her Masters of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary. She earned her Ph.D. degree in Applied Pastoral Thanatology from the Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she had clinical training. She did her master's level clinical training at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC. She completed summa cum laude her post-graduate studies in thanatology from Hood College.
Rollins Johnson, a local pastor and friend, told of a time when they were traveling together and came upon an accident. She immediately left the car, went to the injured person at the side of the road, talked and prayed with him. “She carried her message of God’s love in all circumstances wherever she went,” he said.
She leaves no immediate survivors except a special friend, Susan Vogel, of Millington. Her cousin Mike Ault of Silver Spring also survives.
Online condolences may be sent to www.schimunekfuneralhomes.com
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