Posted July 25, 2019

Sister Margaret Mary O’Reilly, O.S.F. (formerly Sister Mary Alacoque), died June 7 in Assisi House, Aston. She was 90. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 72 years.

Sister Margaret Mary was born in County Leix, Ireland. At the time of her entrance into the congregation in 1944, she was a member of Exultation of the Holy Cross Parish in Stradbally. She professed her first vows in 1947. She earned a B.S.N. degree from Marylhurst College in 1960 and an M.A. in counseling and psychology. She ministered primarily in health care.

Sister Margaret Mary ministered for 48 years in hospitals and schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle, plus 13 years in hospitals in the Diocese of Baker.

In 2004 she became a resident of St. Ann Convent in Tacoma where she served in prayer and hospitality ministry.  

Since 2017 Sister Margaret Mary lived in Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston. Earlier ministry in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia included working in health care at St. Mary Hospital in Philadelphia.

The funeral Mass was celebrated June 12 at Assisi House with burial in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.

Sister Margaret Mary is survived by two nephews and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.