Sister Margaret Teresita, a beloved member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill for 59 years, died on June 27, 2010 at Saint Joseph Villa, Flourtown, Pennsylvania.
Born Dolores Horvay on September 7, 1933, she was raised in West Philadelphia, attended Our Mother of Sorrows Grade School and West Catholic High School for Girls. Her parents, Emil and Margaret had five children: twin sons, William and John, Dolores, and two younger sons, Donald and Joseph. According to those close to the family, Margaret’s mother would often say, “There’s nobody like my Dori!” It was obvious to all how much the family loved and cared for each other.
After entering the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1951, Dori received the name Sister Margaret Teresita, continued her education at Chestnut Hill College and also earned her Master’s degree in education from the University of Scranton. In addition to these degrees, Sister Margaret also received her LPN in nursing from Sacred Heart Hospital.
Margaret’s ministry included not only schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, but also of Newark and Baltimore. In addition to teaching in various schools, she also served as principal. Being a qualified LPN Margaret also shared her expertise in the field of health care. For nine years she lived with and cared for her mother, a ministry that she cherished most of all.
In a reflection at Sister Margaret’s Mass of Christian burial, Sister Mary Dacey recounted some of the memories that sisters have of Margaret. Her friends described her as quiet, but someone who loved a good time. . . those who lived with her in community knew her as an organizer who could get things done. . . a listener. . . residents at the Villa knew her as a person of compassion, integrity, courage and wisdom. Everyone recognized that Margaret was a person who gave without measure and expected nothing in return.
Margaret was a healing presence in the many quiet ways she touched people’s lives. Her own illness and surgeries did not detract from her kindness and peace, but only enhanced it. She had words of comfort for those around her even in her dying, “thank you for how good you were to me. I had a wonderful life.”
Sister Margaret Teresita’s “wonderful life” has been gift to us as she walked with us and lived the words of Saint Paul to the Philippians—words that express so fully God’s love for us—“Empty yourself continually in honor of the Incarnate Word who emptied himself with so much love for you.” In the words of Sister Mary Dacey’s reflection, “We are so grateful for who Sister Margaret Teresita was, and even more so, for who she called us to be.” |
