Obituary of Sr. Margaret Crilly, R.S.M.

Sister Margaret (Peggy) Crilly, age 90, formerly Sister Mary Felice, died peacefully on December 26 , 2016 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, New Jersey. Sister Peggy, the only daughter of John and Helen Crilly, was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1925. She attended Bender Memorial Academy in Elizabeth for her elementary education and Mount St. Mary Academy in Watchung for high school. As a resident student at the Academy, she grew to love the sisters' way of life and chose to enter the community after graduation in 1945. She continued her education at Georgian Court College where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and then a master's degree in reading at Seton Hall University. Sister served in nine elementary schools and three dioceses throughout New Jersey during her 36-year teaching career. The schools included St. Ann, Keansburg; St. Elizabeth, Bernardsville; St. Joseph, Keyport; Holy Spirit, Atlantic City; St. Joseph, North Plainfield; St. Matthew, Edison; St. James, Red Bank; St. Mary Academy, Lakewood and St. Anthony, Port Reading. For 14 years after teaching, Sister volunteered in various parish communities and resided in Avon-by-the-Sea. Always prepared with a smile and kind words, she was welcomed by those who benefited from her visits and assistance. Sister moved back to Mount St. Mary in Watchung, her alma mater, in 1999 as a member of the Gabriel Hall community. In 2006 she joined the prayer apostolate at McAuley Hall Health Care Center. Sister is survived by her brother, Alfred Crilly and wife Rose of New Jersey, many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and nephews and many Sisters of Mercy in the Mid-Atlantic Community. Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, NJ Thursday, December 29, 2016 Wake: 9:30 to 11:00 am Welcome Home: 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 am Burial will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community 1645 Highway 22 West, Watchung, NJ 07069