Sister M. Margaret McMahon (formerly Sister Maureen Clare, IHM) died on January 31, 2026 in Camilla Hall shortly before her 87th birthday. Born on February 24, 1939 and raised in West Philadelphia by her now deceased parents, James P. and Agnes B. (Lawless) McMahon. Sister entered Good Shepherd parish school in 1945, followed by West Catholic High School in 1952. Upon graduation, Sister entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters in 1956, receiving her habit and religious name, Sister Maureen Clare in March 1957. Sister Margaret is survived by her sister, Sister M. Claire McMahon, IHM and a number of cousins.
Throughout her earlier years in the community Sister Margaret first studied and then taught music. In 1971, Sister Margaret received her bachelor’s in music degree from Immaculata College, going on to complete a master’s in music education from Temple University in 1981. Sister Margaret’s early years in education combined teaching both junior high school grades with music in the following parishes: St. Augustine in Bridgeport, St. Jane de Chantal in Easton, Assumption in Feasterville, Incarnation in Trenton and Holy Name in Philadelphia. Upon completing her Immaculata College music training, Sister Margaret taught high school music, first at Bishop Kenrick in Norristown and then at Holy Name in Reading. Sister subsequently became an area music teacher serving at St. Jerome in Tamaqua, then St. Ann in Lansford, and St. Clement in Philadelphia. After this, she became the director of religious education for three successive schools: St Agnes in West Chester, St. Anselm in Philadelphia and St. Joseph in Collingdale.
From the summer of 1987 through that of 1991, Sister Margaret attended St. Joseph College in Connecticut completing a master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry in 1992. Following these studies, Sister Margaret entered a new phase of service aiding Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons for the following three years in his pastoral care practice. In 1998 Sister moved to Harrisburg to assume the duties of office assistant and computer data entry staff at Bishop McDevitt High School. Sister Margaret’s final move took her to Camilla Hall serving first as staff beginning in 2004 and then transitioning to resident in 2017.
Sister M. Margaret McMahon died on January 31, 2026 in Camilla Hall. Sister died in the 67th year of her religious life.
Sister Margaret McMahon’s Funeral Liturgy was celebrated on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Reverend John Burger, CSC, was the main celebrant and homilist and Reverend Francis Chambers, OSA joined Father Burger around the altar.
In Sister M. Margaret McMahon’s memory, a memorial donation may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355