Memorial Mass 7am Nov. 11 for +Therese Catherine Giles Paullus

A Memorial Mass will be offered at the Basilica Thursday, November 11, at 7am, for +Therese Catherine Giles Paullus, 
who died Sept. 6, 2021, peacefully at her home in California, at the age of 93.

Therese had attended Sts. Peter and Paul her whole life until moving to California more than 20 years ago. Her grandparents lived at the corner of Houston and 8th Street. While growing up, Therese and her siblings (all 8) frequently went to their grandparents' house after school:  Nicholas (Nick) Sebastian Long and Katherine (Kate) Hughes Long, aka Big Mama and Big Papa. Nick managed and operated the bar at the Read House. Kate's dad (Patrick Hughes - great grandfather of Therese) was a brick mason who helped build Sts. Peter and Paul.

Therese was a former student of the "Old Notre Dame" school.

After graduating from Notre Dame High School in 1947, Therese joined the Dominican Sisters in Nashville. She remained at the convent for around 4-5 years. After leaving the convent, she moved to California, where her older sister lived, and stayed for around 10 years. She returned to Tennessee to get her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from UT-Knoxville and then returned to California for good in the mid-1970s. Therese still remained close with the Dominican Sisters her entire life and would visit them in Nashville on trips back home from California.  

Therese's burial instructions included a request that a Memorial Mass be said at Sts. Peter and Paul. She is survived by two sisters, Emma Claire Davenport and Ann Gene Respess, both from Chattanooga. Several nieces and nephews.

All are welcome to attend the Memorial Mass on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7am and pray for Therese's soul.

Additionally, the Confirmation Mass at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul on Sunday, December 19, at 9:00 am, will be offered for the intention of +Therese Giles Paullus.

May +Therese Paullus, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

 

Obituary of Therese Paullus

Printed in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press

Therese Catherine Giles Paullus, 93, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 6, 2021 at her home in Los Altos, CA.

Formerly of Chattanooga, Therese was a 1947 graduate of Notre Dame High School and later attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, where she received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education. She was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Los Altos.

Therese enjoyed traveling as she and her husband, Floyd, made many trips abroad, and throughout the States visiting friends. In later years, they especially enjoyed coming to Chattanooga each year to be with Therese’s family and to reunite with her 1947 Notre Dame High School classmates come class reunion times. Therese was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd W. Paullus of Los Altos; and Parents, Helen and William D. Giles of Chattanooga, along with five deceased siblings, William D. Jr., Nicholas, John Joseph Giles, Helen Elizabeth Sivley and Mary Agnes Farmer. She is survived by two sisters, Emma Claire Davenport and Ann Gene Respess, both from Chattanooga. Several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass was held at St. Nicholas Catholic Church at 9:30 am, September 10, 2021 followed by a graveside service at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cupertino, California where Therese was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Floyd. Reverend Anthony Uytingco, Parochial Vicar of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, presided.