OBITUARY

Sister Margaret Gargan, FMM

Posted

NORTH PROVIDENCE — Sister Margaret Gargan, FMM, of Ein Karim community, North Smithfield, died on February 4, 2019 at St. Antoine Residence.

Sister Margaret was born in Brighton, Massachusetts on December 24, 1919. She entered the FMM in Fruit Hill, on September 15, 1952. Prior to her entrance, she attended Emmanuel College, Boston, and graduated in 1941 with a B.S. in science. She entered the novitiate, March 19, 1953, made First Vows in June 13, 1955, and Final Vows, also June 13, in 1958. In 1957, while director of social work at Divine Providence Shelter, New York City, her first mission, Sister Gargan studied psychiatric social work and obtained a master’s degree in 1957. She held the position of director until 1961. After that, she was missioned to be Superior of another community in New York City and then back to the role of superior and administrator of Divine Providence Shelter for Children, in 1967.

Then in 1971, Sister Gargan was missioned to Canberra, Australia, where she did administration and social work until 1976. Returning to the U.S., Sister Gargan was once more missioned to be an administrator at Divine Providence Shelter and community. From 1989 to 2001, in the FMM Provincial House in the Bronx, she held various responsibilities including that of a provincial councilor, provincial secretary, bursar, and spiritual assistant and bursar for the secular Third Order Franciscans. Later, she was the local bursar and local coordinator for Holy Family community in N. Providence. Sister Gargan was then missioned to Trinity Community in 2008 where she spent a number of years doing community service with faithfulness.

Her final mission was to St. Antoine Residence in 2016. Sister Gargan’s special gifts were serving with the temporary care of children at the shelter regardless of nationality, race, or creed. She understood that the children were from difficult situations and needed attention, love, guidance as they were often shocked and fearful when they arrived. Besides her professional gifts and talents, she had a great sense of humor and would write poems to read at special occasions like birthdays and jubilees. She often read them aloud with her charming Boston accent and made everyone laugh. She also loved to write more serious pieces and poems.

Sister Gargan’s funeral was held on Tuesday, February 12, in Holy Family Chapel, 399 Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence.