Posted May 7, 2025

Sister Margaret Oman, OSF (formerly Sister Margaret William), 94, died at Assisi House on Saturday, May 3, 2025. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 75 years. Sister Margaret was born in Dublin, Ireland, where she was a member of Our Lady of the Seven Dolors Parish. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1950. She earned a B.A. in Latin and Social Studies from Villanova University and ministered primarily in education and parish ministries.

Sister Margaret began her ministry in education, serving for two years in the Diocese of Trenton, teaching at both Blessed Sacrament School and St. Anthony School in Trenton. She then taught at St. Stanislaus School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, for one year. She later moved to the West Coast and taught for six years at St. Charles School in Spokane and 11 years in the Diocese of Baker at St. Joseph Academy in Pendleton and St. Francis Academy in Baker. She taught for two years at St. Leo High School in Tacoma, Washington, before transitioning to parish and clerical work, serving at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma and St. Joseph Parish in Lynden. She also spent two years at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Portland, Oregon.

In California, Sister Margaret served for 15 years in the Diocese of San Bernardino, working in parish ministry at St. Christopher Parish in Moreno Valley and Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Alta Loma. She also served for six years as Director of Religious Education at the Marine Corps Base in Oceanside.

For the past 22 years, Sister Margaret served in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She volunteered at Neumann University in Aston for 13 years. In 2016, she moved to Assisi House, the congregation’s retirement residence in Aston, where she continued her ministry through prayer and hospitality until her death.

All services will be held at Assisi House on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, and will be livestreamed. A Christian Wake Service will begin at 9:30 A.M., followed by a viewing. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 A.M. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.

Sister Margaret was predeceased by her sisters, who were also members of the congregation, Sister Annie Francis Oman and Sister Patricia Joseph Oman, as well as several other siblings.  She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Joan Oman; her sister, Sister Agnes Oman; her cousin, Sister Maria Assunta Oman; nieces, nephews, and her Franciscan family. Donations in her memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.