Vale Sr Teresa Kennedy (Tess) Ransom rsj
By Wendy Shaw
Sr Teresa Kennedy (Tess) Ransom RSJ has been remembered as a faithful Sister of St Joseph, and for her friendship, hospitality, generosity and ‘making life interesting’.
A gifted educator who ministered in Catholic schools as a teacher and principal, Sr Tess died peacefully at Fairway Rise residential care home in Hobart on 16 April, in the 75th year of her religious profession and 96th year of life.
She was born in 1931 in Southport in far southern Tasmania, to Elsie and Maurice Ransom. She was the second youngest of nine siblings: Molly, Harry, Patrick, Maurice, John (Shorty), Mary, (all dec), Sr Pauline LCM and Gerard (dec).
She enjoyed an idyllic childhood playing on the beach, fishing, exploring and helping with chores.
At her funeral at Sacred Heart Church, New Town on 27 April, mourners heard she was proud of her Catholic roots. Her great grandfather, ex-convict John Kennedy, helped to build the Church of St John the Baptist and family members later saved some contents from that church before it was destroyed by a bushfire in December 1950.
Fr Julian Tenison Woods, cofounder of the Josephite Order with St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, stayed at the home of her grandparents, Margaret and Henry Ransom, in the 1870s when he gave missions in the area.
As a child, Tess helped her mother to set up the church for Mass on the first Sunday of each month.
When she was 12, Tess went to the Josephite Juniorate at Newstead in Launceston, which provided secondary education for those interested in Josephite religious life. She entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph novitiate at New Town on 2 February 1949 and was professed as Sr Mary Hyacinth of the Purification of Our Lady on 4 January 1952.
Sr Tess served as a teacher and/or principal at: Sacred Heart College, New Town, St Thomas More’s School, Newstead, Our Lady of Lourdes School, Devonport, Sacred Heart School, Ulverstone, and Stella Maris at Burnie.
Josephite Vic-Tas regional leadership team member Sr Carmel Jones was taught by Sr Tess in grade one at Devonport. Sr Tess also prepared Sr Carmel for her first communion.
Sr Carmel told mourners that Sr Tess touched the lives of many and was a beloved member of the community.
A woman of many talents, Sr Tess enjoyed reading, reciting poetry, telling stories, writing her memoirs, poetry and family history, cooking and jam making, photography, card making, knitting, gardening, and spending time with relatives and friends.
“Above all she loved being with people and having a good laugh, and we enjoyed her sense of humour,” Sr Carmel said.
“Tess was a deeply spiritual woman. She lived every day from her heart and extended compassion to all whom she encountered …
“She was a faithful Sister of St Joseph and a good friend to us all.
“She was generous and she certainly made life interesting.”
In their eulogy, nieces Deb and Trish spoke of Sr Tess’s strong Catholic family background as the ‘foundation of her faith and belief in God’.
They described her as a highly respected educator and principal who formed strong bonds with staff and students, many of whom remained friends for life. They highlighted her kindness, empathy, wisdom and keen sense of humour.
“We feel very privileged to have been part of her life,” they said.
Bishop of Ballarat Mark Freeman was the chief celebrant at the funeral, concelebrating with priests from the Archdiocese of Hobart.
Bishop Mark said Sr Tess was a loyal friend, teacher, mentor and woman of hope and hospitality. He urged mourners to reflect on the richness of their encounters with her over the years.
“How blessed we are that our lives have intersected with hers,” he said.
“How blessed we are that she has opened up for us the presence of Christ.”
After the funeral, interment took place at the Cornelian Bay Cemetery, where her coffin was sprinkled with sand from Southport beach.
Sr Teresa (Tess) Kennedy Ransom rsj 13 February, 1931 – 16 April, 2026.