Obituary of Sr. Margaret Fogarty CSJ

Sister Margaret Fogarty, CSJ Sister Margaret Fogarty, CSJ, (Sister Edward Claire), 93, died Thursday, March 5, 2009, at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Sister Margaret had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 75 years. Sister Margaret was born December 4, 1915, in Troy, NY, daughter of the late William and Mary McGrath Fogarty. After attending Catholic Central High School in Troy, Sister Margaret entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 19, 1934, and professed final vows on August 15, 1939. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in education at The College of Saint Rose and taught for 43 years in elementary schools of the Albany and Syracuse Dioceses, including St. Francis de Sales School, Troy; St. Joseph's School, Green Island; Cathedral Academy, Albany; St. Patrick's School, Binghamton; St. John the Baptist School, Syracuse; St. Mary's Academy, Glens Falls; St. Mary's School, Oswego; and Christ the King School, Endwell. In addition, Sister Margaret served as a parish minister in St. Joseph's Parish, Oswego. Upon her retirement to St. Joseph's Provincial House, Sister Margaret volunteered in several in-house ministries. Sister Margaret was an excellent teacher who taught hundreds of children to read and built for them a strong foundation, based on love of learning. She was firm, fair and nurturing all at once, with an ever-present sparkle of affirmation in her eyes and encouragement in her voice. Whether she was baking an exceptional dessert, preparing a class for First Communion, visiting a sick parishioner or demonstrating the importance of the written word, Sister Margaret had a wonderful zest for living in the service of others. Deeply committed to her faith, her religious community and her family, Sister Margaret will long be remembered for her kindness of spirit, her generosity of heart and her simple love of life. Sister Margaret is survived by several beloved nieces and nephews and their families, including William (Pam) Spainhower, Kathleen (Tom) Kollar and Gerard (Carol) Fogarty; many devoted friends, and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, Sister Margaret was predeceased by her dearly loved brothers and sister: James Henry (Mary) Fogarty, Edward (Rita) Fogarty and William (Agnes) Fogarty, and Elizabeth Spainhower; and by many friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Margaret's funeral Liturgy will be held Tuesday, March 10 at 9:00 a.m. from the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham. Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of Virgins Cemetery on the Provincial House grounds. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Monday, March 9, 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 Arrangements have been entrusted to the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, Latham, New York. www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com