Sister Marguerite Mary, formerly known as Margaret McAveney, died on August 20, 2026 in Camilla Hall just a month after her 95th birthday, having served 76 years as a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Born July 26, 1931 to her parents Terence and Margaret (Taylor), both of Philadelphia, she was preceded in death by all her siblings, including her brothers Charles, Thomas, and John, and her sisters Anne Brady and Joan Rollo. In addition to her IHM Community, she is survived by numerous nephews and nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Sister Marguerite attended St. Gabriel’s for all of elementary school and West Catholic high school, graduating in 1949. She entered the Sisters of IHM on February 2, 1950, receiving the habit in August of that year. Professed with first vows on August 15, 1952, she made her final vow commitment on the same date in 1955. As a religious she continued her education, earning a BA in both Mathematics and English from Immaculata College in 1964, then going on to receive her Master of Arts in mathematics from Villanova University in 1971. Sister Marguerite was permanently certified in Mathematics by the Commonwealth of PA in 1973.
Sister Marguerite Mary’s teaching history began in 1952 as a teacher for first grade at St. Rose of Lima School in Philadelphia, followed in 1958 by a transfer to grades six, then seven at Sacred Heart parish in Philadelphia in 1958, and then seven and eight at St. Peter’s in Reading for a year.
In 1962 Sister moved to reside at St. Agnes Convent in West Chester where she first instructed students in grades 9 through 11 in mathematics at Bishop Shanahan High School. In 1968, while her location remained the same, her ministry did not as she undertook the office of Prefect of Students, serving until 1970. Continuing in high school, Sister Marguerite then returned to the classroom teaching mathematics at Marian High School, Tamaqua, while residing at St. Mary, Coaldale until 1978. She was then transferred to Trinity High School, Shiremanstown, while residing at Immaculate Heart Convent, Harrisburg.
In 1983, with her change to Allentown Central Catholic High School, Sister received a return to the position of Dean of Studies until 1987 when she was transferred to Holy Name High School in Reading, again as Dean of Studies, as well as serving as superior at her residence of St. Catherine. In 1989, while still in these positions, Sister’s residence changed to St. John Baptist de LaSalle Convent in Shillington, again to serve as superior. Remaining in her high school position, in 1992 again Sister’s residence changed, this time to St. Catherine Convent in Reading to serve as Superior. In 1997, changed to Immaculata High School in Somerville, NJ, Sister Marguerite first taught mathematics there until 2008 when she transitioned to assist in the Studies Office.
In 2008 Sister Marguerite moved to Camilla Hall, first residing as staff in Pacis Hall until 2014 when she moved as a resident of Camilla Hall to assist in the Apostolate of Prayer.
Sister Marguerite Mary’s Funeral Liturgy was celebrated at Camilla Hall on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Reverend Francis Chambers, OSA, was the celebrant.
In Sister Marguerite Mary McAveny memory, a donation may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA