Age 87
Sister Mary Monica Perez was a Sister of Mercy for 70 years. With Margarita as her baptismal name, she was born in Agana, Guam. She attended elementary school and Our Lady of Guam Academy in Guam, later graduating from Sacred Heart College in Belmont, North Carolina, with a degree in elementary education.
Margarita had no contact with any religious community of women until the Sisters of Mercy from Belmont, North Carolina, were established in Guam in 1946. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1952 and took as her motto, Thy Will Be Done. This described her personal commitment and all that happened in her life. After her final vows, Sister Monica was assigned to study and live in Belmont, where she spent her religious life.
Sister Monica taught in elementary schools as well as CCD (religious education) in Asheville, Wilmington, Belmont, and Concord, North Carolina. She served in the library of Sacred Heart College and later became director of computer services at St Vincent de Paul Parish in Charlotte, N.C.
On the occasion of the celebration of Monica’s 70th Jubilee, the Guam legislature presented her with a document commending her for her lifetime commitment to prayer, education and service.
Sister Monica was an avid fan of basketball and football, a talented cook, baker and seamstress. She always greeted everyone with a welcoming smile.