The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
Sister Margaret Ann McNamara, 75, of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, died at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, at Mother Theodore Hall, in St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She was born on Aug. 5, 1935, to Nicholas and Mary Ann O’Brien McNamara.
Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on July 22, 1955 and received the name S. Marie Nicholas. She professed Final Vows on Aug. 15, 1963. She earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and master’s degrees from Ball State University and Loyola University. In her 55 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered for 13 years in schools in Indiana and Illinois. In 1973, she moved into administrative positions with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists headquartered in Chicago. In 1983, she was elected to provincial leadership in the Congregation, serving eight years. Following this, she ministered as vice-president for Mission Services with Wheaton Franciscan Services in Wheaton, Ill., and then Director of the Diaconate Formation Program in the Archdiocese of Chicago. In 1996, she was elected to a five-year term in generalate leadership in the Congregation. Beginning in 2004, she dedicated herself totally to the ministry of prayer.
Sister Marge loved life and loved people. Even as her health declined, she radiated a loving presence to all she met.
She is survived by a brother, James McNamara and his wife Mary; a sister-in-law, Dolores McNamara; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Nicholas J. McNamara.
The wake is Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Church of the Immaculate Conception with the wake service at 4:30 p.m. The Mass of Christian burial is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, 2010, with the Rev. Daniel R. Hopcus presiding. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence. Callahan-DeBaun Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
