Sr. Margaret Ellen Kavanaugh, OP

Born into Eternal Life January 17, 2010

Sister Margaret Ellen Kavanaugh, OP of Dominican Convent, Sparkill, New York, died on January 17, 2010 in Siena Hall Infirmary, Dominican Convent, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY.

Born in St. Louis, MO on December 12, 1914, Ann Catherine was the daughter of Phillip and Ann Casey Kavanaugh.  She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on July 10, 1933 and became known as Sister Margaret Ellen, professing her first vows in 1935 and her final vows in 1940.

Sister Margaret Ellen earned a BA in Education from Webster College, St. Louis, MO in 1950 and an MA in Reading from Manhattan College, Bronx, NY in 1971.

During her professional life, Sister Margaret Ellen was an elementary school teacher.  She served in the Archdioceses of New York and St. Louis and in the Diocese of Brooklyn.  She was teacher at Epiphany, St. Louis MO (1935-39); St. Ann, Bronx, NY (1939-40); St. Mary Magdalen, Brentwood, MO (1940-43,1951-54); St. James, St. Louis, MO (1943-51); St. Edmund, Brooklyn, NY (1954-60); St. Kevin, St. Louis, MO (1960-61); St. Helena, Bronx, NY (1961-74); St. Thomas More, St. Louis, MO (1974-84).  From 1984-1992 Sister Margaret Ellen was engaged in parish ministry work at St. Thomas More Parish in St. Louis, MO.  In 2005 Sister came to Dominican Convent and was a resident of Siena Hall Infirmary. 

Sister Margaret Ellen will be lovingly remembered for her warm smile and the joy that she brought to so many people.  Her love of education and teaching were her gift to the many students that she taught.  She was blessed with a good life, may she now rest in the peace of the Lord.