Age 96
Sister Margretta began her ministry as a primary school teacher in the Fall River and Providence dioceses. In 1949 she went to St. Anthony in West Warwick, Rhode Island, where she taught first grade for 15 years. She began a pattern of involvement in parish and community life as well as education. Her students might remember the discipline of the classroom, but they also recall the quality of the education and her simple kindness.
In 1966 Margretta was appointed principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Taunton, Massachusetts. As the principal for 31 years, she was determined to find funding so that every child had the opportunity for a Catholic education. She established several scholarships, including one in her own name for the student with the most financial need. Her gift for raising funds led to her becoming the director of development for the school in 1997. In addition to bingo events, she organized an annual golf tournament, initiated an alumni group and created an alumni annual fund. During COVID when no public events could be held, Sister Margretta raised over $18,000 by creating and selling school calendars.
In her nearly 60 years in Taunton, Sister Margretta became a familiar face for the generations of lives she touched. Her life of service exemplified her motto: “Love is repaid by love.” May we remember her in our lives of love.