Sister Maria Devota (Margaret Veronica Dempsey) 95, a beloved member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, for 76 years, died on January 13, 2009 at Saint Joseph Villa, Flourtown, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there on January 16, 2009.
Born in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Winifred Dempsey, Margaret grew up in West Philadelphia where she attended local schools. After her mother’s death, Margaret, a high school sophomore at the time, became the homemaker as she cared for her father, brothers and cousin. When she felt that they were ready to care for themselves, she followed her sister, Sister Clare Amata to the Congregation and became Sister Maria Devota.
S. Devota received her bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and a Masters Degree from Marywood College and used her own educational background to educate students for more than sixty years in various ministries in the field of education. She served faithfully in various elementary and secondary schools in the Archdioceses of Newark and Philadelphia until she became a resident at Saint Joseph Villa in 1995.
As a true Sister of Saint Joseph, relationships were an important part of Sister Maria Devota’s life. She was an excellent teacher who had a profound influence on many of her students. She had a non-judgmental and charitable commitment to her students. Her family and friends can attest to the many kindnesses they received from her. Whether it was remembering a birthday or some other special occasion or delivering laundry to another sister, you could always count on her.
Sisters enjoyed living with Devota and described her as kind, considerate, practical, and helpful with a quiet sense of humor along with her efficient and no-nonsense attitude towards life. She was respectful of each person no matter how loving or challenging the person might be.
Fidelity to daily Mass and prayer were the bedrock of her life as a Sister of Saint Joseph. Throughout her life, she lived her life for God and worked in the service to God’s people. Rest in peace, dear Devota, in the arms of the loving God who called you and to whom you dedicated your life!
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