Born Helen Mae Shockley March 3, 1887 in Philadelphia, PA., she was the only girl with four brothers.

Helen Mae was sent to Holy Providence School, Cornwell Heights, PA., to be taught by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrement. She continued her education at St. Francis de Sales High School, Rock Castle, VA., also conducted by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrement. It was there, at age fourteen, Helen Mae Shockley converted from the Seventh Day Adventist faith to Catholicism.

In September of 1914, Mother Frances Fieldien received Helen, age 28, as a candidate for the Oblate Sisters of Providence. After profession, Sister Teresa taught primary grades at St. Frances Academy and then was missioned at St. Augustine, Washington, DC. She remained there nine years. In addition to being seventh and eighth grade teacher Sister Teresa was principal of the school.

Sister Teresa, with Sister Angela Wade, attended Villanova University. They were the first two persons of African American heritage to be accepted at this institution.

She served for a time as novice mistress. When Mother Consuella Clifford was elected Superior General, Sister Teresa was appointed her secretary. When Mother Consuella was elected for a second six-year term, Sister Teresa was elected Vicar General. Their relationship was one of warmth and devotion. This loving example helped the Sisters adjust to the death of Mother Consuella.

As spiritual head of the Congregation, Mother Teresa communicated monthly "fervorinos" to community members. These were letters of spiritual encouragement and admonition in both English and Spanish. Her favorite themes were, "Be kind to one another,""Charity.....""fidelity........" "Serving gladly....", "Serving generously.....," "She was a good listener and her leadership has been described as "strict, but kind."

During her term in office, Mother initiated negotiations to build or purchase a new motherhouse or Oblate headquarters. To this end she built up a seed fund of several hundred thousands of dollars. This was a tremendous accomplishment by any standard. She began the process of revising the Constitution in order to move the congregation from diocesan to pontifical status - one approved by the Sacred Congregation for Religious at Rome.

In recent times, Mother Teresa Shockley is the only Superior General of the Oblate Sisters of Providence who served a third term. The special dispensation required for this third election speaks eloquently of the regard in which the Sisters held her; a regard justly merited by her talent, intelligence, ability and deep spirituality.

On March 3, 1991, Mother Teresa celebrated her 104th birthday. On Thursday, September 26, 1991 Mother Mary Teresa Shockley went home to the Lord. She had lived seventy-eight years as an Oblate Sister of Providence.