Obituary of Sr. Margaret Donovan CSJ

SR. MARGARET DONOVAN CSJ Latham- Sister Margaret Donovan, CSJ (Sister Robert Michele), 82, died Monday, July 30, 2018, at Albany Memorial Hospital. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 60 years. Sister Margaret was born in Rutland, VT, on January 16, 1936, daughter of the late George and Mary Cannon Donovan. After completing her high school education at Mt. St. Joseph's Academy in Rutland, she attended The College of Saint Rose and received a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1957. Sister Margaret entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Troy, NY, on March 19, 1958, and professed final vows on August 6, 1965. She subsequently received a master's degree in medical-surgical nursing from Russell Sage College. For 46 years, Sister Margaret served at St. Mary's Hospital. Amsterdam (now St. Mary's Healthcare) and its School of Nursing as medical technologist, clinical instructor and instructor of microbiology, grant-project director, community health nurse, vice president of mission effectiveness, patient-services advocate and, in her last few years, a volunteer. Sister Margaret has resided at St. Joseph's Provincial House for the past ten years. Sister Margaret's life was characterized by dedication, commitment, kindness and compassion. For over six decades, she has witnessed both to the Gospel message of Jesus and to the calling of the Sisters of St. Joseph by serving the "dear neighbor without distinction" as a teacher, nurse, medical technologist, administrator, mentor, colleague and friend. Especially dear to Sister Margaret's heart were her family and friends, her religious congregation, the St. Mary's Healthcare community and her home state of Vermont! Sister Margaret leaves to us a legacy of the importance of empathy and thoughtfulness in our relationships, and acceptance and courage in our suffering; her presence will be dearly missed. Sister Margaret is survived by her nephews, Frank (Calle) and Tom (Stephanie) Donovan; her niece, Patricia (Bert) Belden; her grandnieces and grandnephews; several cousins; many friends, including Lawrence and Sandy Costanzo and family; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet with special mention of her beloved friend, Sister Elizabeth Costanzo. In addition to her parents, Sister Margaret was predeceased by her brothers, George, Francis and Robert Donovan, and her sister-in-law, Marie Donovan. Sister Margaret's Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 3, at 11:00 a.m. from the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Thursday, August 2, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Contributions in Sister Margaret's memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. For information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.