Sister M. Margaret Peter Carolli (formerly Dolores Marion Carolli) died in Camilla Hall on November 20, 2025. Sister was in the 61st year of her religious life.
Born Dolores Marion Carolli on October 15, 1946 to her parents, Peter and Marguerite (Cerrato) Carolli, Dolores and her parents were an integral part of St. Edmond Parish in South Philadelphia. Dolores, an only child, attended St. Edmond Elementary School (1952-1960), then St. Maria Goretti High School (1960-1964). After entering the community in 1964, Sister completed her bachelor’s degree at Immaculata College in 1971 with a concentration in Theology and in 1980 received an M.A. from St. Charles Seminary in Religious Studies and Sacred Scripture.
Dolores entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on September 8, 1964. She received her habit and her religious name, Sister M. Margaret Peter, on June 28, 1967, and pronounced her First Vows on June 27, 1967.
After her first profession, Sister Margaret was sent to Sacred Heart, Manoa for two years to teach sixth grade and then to St. Francis de Sales for seventh grade. In January 1971, she was assigned to the Juniorate at Villa Maria House of Studies at which time she completed her Theology degree. Following this, Sister went first to St. Gabriel parish in Philadelphia to teach seventh grade. Her career as a high school teacher began in Arlington, Virginia at Bishop O’Connell High School in 1977, followed by three years at Bishop Kenrick High School and six years at West Catholic High School. Traveling to Miami, Florida, Sister continued teaching Religion at Lourdes High School for three years, followed by two years at St. Maria Goretti High School in Philadelphia. In 1989, Sister was assigned as the Director of Studies at Immaculata High School in Somerville, NJ, a position in which she served for 16 years. In September 2007, Sister Margaret went to Villa Maria Academy in Malvern where she taught Religion and Math for the next 10 years. In 2017, Sister went to Little Flower High School where she served in the Student Services Office for the next four years. In 2021, Sister began a residence at Camilla Hall, first as the coordinator of Health Insurance for the community and then as a member of the Apostolate of Prayer.
Sister Margaret is survived by her IHM Community, particularly her IHM Convent at Camilla Hall, her cousin Marlene Bavuso, her many friends and band members. Sister Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Marguerite (Cerrato) Carolli.
Reverend Christopher Redcay was the main celebrant and homilist for Sister Margaret Peter’s Funeral Mass on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Reverend John Burger, S.S.C. and Reverend Francis Chambers, OSA concelebrated.
In Sister Margaret Peter’s memory a memorial donation may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355