Obituary of Margaret Mary Smith

Sister Margaret Mary Smith, age 94, formerly Sister Mary Borgia,  died peacefully on July 26,   2019  at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, NJ.

Sister Margaret Mary  was born in 1924 to John and Mary Smith of Atlantic City, NJ. She attended St. Nicholas Elementary School in Atlantic City and Mount St. Mary Academy in Watchung for high school. She entered the Sisters of Mercy in Watchung and was  professed in 1949. Sister Margaret Mary earned a bachelors degree in elementary education at Georgian Court College (now University) and masters degree in special education from Seton Hall University.

Over the course of her 47 years in education, Sister taught in St. Mary School, Perth Amboy; St. Francis School in Metuchen; St Mary Academy in Lakewood. She then assumed positions at Monmouth School for Exceptional Children in Eatontown; St. Nicholas School in Atlantic City;  coordinator for religious education for the Trenton Diocese; director of special education for the Camden Diocesan Office; Title I teacher in Brigantine;  principal in Our Lady of Victories School in Sayreville; Group Home Director at Mary’s Manor in Egg Harbor; St. Augustine School in Ocean City; St Philip School in Brigantine.  Sister served in these various support and care-giver positions,  with  unfailing enthusiasm, energy and dedication. She retired to join the Gabriel Hall community at Mount St. Mary in Watchung in 1999 and moved to McAuley Hall Health Care Center afterwards.  Her love of God and children, in particular children with disabilities, were at the core of her mercy  spirit. She never tired of seeking persons in need and doing whatever she could to make their lives and circumstances better. Sister Margaret Mary was unfailingly optimistic and always confident in the providence of God.

Sister is survived by her sister, Theresa Mong and husband Ed of Brigantine, NJ, loving nieces and nephews and Sisters of Mercy.

Visitation: McAuley Hall Health Care Center, 1633 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069          

Wake: Tuesday July 30, 2019  9:30 to 11:00 AM     

Welcome Home Service: 10:30 am  

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 am

Burial: Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ