Sister Margaret Frances O’Donnell, CSJ

We come together as a faith community to celebrate and give thanks to our gracious God for the life of Sister Margaret/Peggy O’Donnell, formerly Sister Mary Sulpice, a Sister of St. Joseph for 71 fruitful and happy years.

This sacred space was the center of Peggy’s life, and we who assemble here are still in shock that she left us too soon ~ and too suddenly, but she’d be the first to tell us, in her humble but straightforward way, that “God’s ways are not ours ~ be at peace.”

We welcome Peggy’s home community with deep gratitude for your ever present love and support here in St. Joseph Convent. Peggy valued the peace, camaraderie and diverse opportunities that daily life offered.

Her faithful presence and active participation at daily Eucharist, often as lector, to her full-hearted attendance at lectures, prayer times, art experiences and all things recreational enriched her life. Peggy’s words of praise for the wonderful care given her extended from Administration to nursing to housekeepers, to recreation and Physical Therapy, and of course to her kind and caring aides.
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Peggy’s family ~ so very faithful and loving are welcomed today, especially her nieces Karen and Kristin and their families and extended families as well as the many friends and students whose lives Peggy touched.

Peggy loved Queens ~ the home of her youth and much of her ministerial life. She and her brother John, children of John and Margaret grew up in Flushing surrounded by love and an ardent faith that permeated their home.

After graduating from Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica, Peggy attended The Mary Louis Academy where she excelled academically and as an active member of school activities. The copy of her TMLA transcript danced with 98’s and 100’s notably in Latin and English. She was brilliant!

Influenced by the lived charism of our sisters in TMLA Peggy entered the community and embraced a life totally committed to love of God and the dear neighbor.

Rather than just check the box on her application to the community, Peggy wrote ~ in perfect Palmer Script, “I am not being forced, intimidated or tricked into joining this congregation: ~ She went happily!

Peggy’s desire to teach was lived fully for the next 50 years on the elementary level from Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Victory in Brooklyn to her 38 years in her beloved Holy Child Jesus and St. Benedict Joseph in Richmond Hill.
Her teaching skills were par excellence and her attention and love for each student knew no bounds. Her lived love of God overflowed into all her interactions.

As Peggy transitioned from teaching, she became an active part of the worshipping community at St. John’s University as a choir member and a volunteer in the Bridge to Life Program until her homecoming to Brentwood in 2021.

We’re honored now to hear her dear and faithful friend, Sister Joan Hackett’s reflection delivered by Sister Josephine Daspro.

That will be followed by our community ritual.

Sister Tesa Fitzgerald

Sister Margaret O’Donnell, Peggy, to most of us, was a valiant woman, her roots were firmly planted in God, family, friends and her beloved congregation. ister Tesa spoke of her family, life in community and in ministry. I will take a more personal view. Peggy came into my life in 1969 when my friendRosemary Kern, was missioned at Holy Child. Their friendship developed gradually and Peggy and I came to know each other through Rosemary. The three of us would spend time together when I came to visit. We would go out for walks to Forest Park,(no cars in those days). Sometimes, we were able to take the subway to Manhattan and window shop along 5th Avenue. As the years moved on, vacations were allowed outside our community houses so in 1972, our first adventure happened. Along with Sisters Helen Dolores Byrne
and Barbara Buckbee. we traveled to “Forget-Me Not” cottages in New Hampshire. From that time on until 1995 we travelled from Maine to North Carolina, the number of people changing at times. ife continued for us with sharing of jubilees- 25, 50, 60 and most recently
Peggy’s 70th. These events brought great joy along with parents’ anniversaries, and births of nieces and nephews. Illness and deaths were also a part of our friendship and our own serious illnesses and deaths. In the game of Jump Rope there is a person called the “Steady Ender”.
When I reflect on Peggy, she was that person, always there for us. When it was time for Peggy to leave her beloved home in Flushing it was very  difficult for her. Being the person of prayer that she was she knew but also sought advice and confirmation of her decision. The last chapter of her life in Brentwood was one where Peggy continued to grow. Not long after “settling in”, Peggy attended the Art class and started painting. Her talent blossomed. She also became a “bell ringer” in the Bell Choir. Her chapel ministry of being a lector continued and for a time she was a member of the congregational choir. She also joined committees that had to do with voting and chapter issues. Another “plus” – we saw each other with a short chat every day. Sunday was special, as I joined Peggy and the sisters at her table for dinner. We
would then either go to the porch or her room and spend time together.In speaking with sisters and staff here at the convent I most often heard about her presence -sharing herself in whatever way possible and in being a good listener.
What a way to spend retirement!
A verse from a Valentine Card, I feel expresses Peggy to a “T”. As you listen to it, I’m sure that those of you who knew Peggy will agree.

I’m Grateful for You
For our calls to say hi,
Or with good news to share.
For a safe place to vent,
Knowing someone will care.
For encouraging words
When we’re not at our best
For comic relief when we’re totally stressed.
For our heart-to-heart bond
And our great friendship, too –
I’ll always be thankful.
American Greetings 7179227

S. Joan Hackett, Feb. 20, 2025

Sister Margaret Frances O’Donnell, CSJ ,the former Sister Mary Sulpice, died on February 12, 2025 in the 71st year of her religious life.