Dougherty, Margaret D.C. Sr.

MENANDS- Sister Margaret Dougherty, Daughter of Charity passed away Monday, December 17, 2012. Margaret Mary was born on November 24, 1938 in Hazelton, PA to Robert Leo and Mary Frances Dougherty and lived there with her six siblings, Robert, Mary Ellen (Millie), Elizabeth (Liz), Ann, Ellene and Jackie. She spent the first 22 years of her life in those coal regions. After graduating from Nativity High School and St. Joseph College, Emmitsburg, MD, Margaret taught for a few years in a public high school in her home town before entering the Daughters of Charity. in 1962.

After her formation as a Daughter of Charity, she taught for nine years in Seton High School, Baltimore, MD; Seton High School, Endicott, NY: and was part of the founding of St. Mark’s High School, Wilmington, DE. Here several groups of Sisters from different religious communities lived in one house in separate apartments and shared the chapel, dining room and kitchen.

Sister received a master’s degree in French from Catholic University and later a master’s degree in religious education from the same university.

From 1973 to 1987 Sister Margaret had diverse ministerial experiences in parishes in Canastota, NY; Minersville, PA; Tremont, PA. Sister Margaret successfully completed the requirements needed to be a supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Care Education. and introduced that program into Sisters Hospital, Buffalo, NY. Many students, both foreign and American, received certificates in Pastoral Care. Her services were sought in Hungary to prepare students there for a different approach to hospital care. Because she had many talents to offer, she volunteered for the Mission at “Mission ad Gentes” and was sent to the Ethopian Province of the Daughters of Charity for two years to assist with the native Ethopian Sisters.

Her next mission was in St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT where she ministered in the Pastoral Care Department until she became extremely ill and spent the better part of a year in St. Vincent’s and Yale Medical Center, Ct. Sr. Margaret was missioned to St. Louise’s House in April, 2012 to continue her recovery. Sister enjoyed the company of others, was a good conversationalist and listener and served the Sisters she lived with well. Her musical skills with the violin enhanced many religious and social occasions and her baking and cooking brought pleasure to many.

Sister is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Mary Frances Dougherty, her brother Robert and sister Mary Ellen (Millie) Regan and brother in laws

She is survived by her sisters Ann Marie Dougherty,Rockville, Md.Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Brennen, Rockville, Md. , Jackie and Greg McCarthy ,Mattews, NC and Ellene and Edward Ebbe, Oakton,Va and at last count 23 nieces and nephews and 42 grand nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 22, 2012 in the DePaul House Chapel at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetary, Menands, NY.

A wake service remembering Sister Margaret will be held at 7PM on December 21, 2012. Calling hours will begin from 4PM when the body returns and is blessed in the DePaul House Chapel, 96 Menand Rd., Albany, NY.

Donations may be made to the Daughters of Charity, 4330 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108, or to the International Project Services, specific for Ethopia, 22255 Greenfield Rd., Suite 501, Southfield, MI. 48075-3734.