Obituary of Margaret Mary San Antonio
Sister Margaret Mary San Antonio, age 100, died peacefully on August 12, 2022 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung. Sister Margaret Mary was one of 11 children born to August and Eleanor San Antonio. As Dorothy San Antonio, she attended public schools in Lakewood, NJ. She then pursued a career in nursing, graduating from St. Catherine of Siena Hospital School of Nursing in Brooklyn, NY in 1944. Dorothy was then asked to be a private duty nurse for the ailing Mother Margaret Mary at Mount St. Mary, Watchung, NJ. Dorothy entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1945. By the time of her Reception, Mother Margaret Mary had died and she was given her name.
As a registered nurse, Sister Margaret Mary served as a staff nurse and health instructor at Mount Saint Mary Academy. In 1953 she was assigned to Georgian Court College, now University. She later spent two years nursing at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. In 1968 Sister Margaret Mary began her service on the nursing staff at McAuley Hall Health Care Center and later served as Director of Volunteers there. Between 1970 and 1990, she volunteered with the Red Cross New York/New Jersey. In addition, Sister Margaret Mary served as Director of Associates for the Sisters of Mercy of New Jersey Regional Community from 1983 to 1994. During those years she resided at McAuley Hall and continued to live there in her retirement.
Famous for her smile, warm hospitality and friendliness, Sister was a faithful and reliable nurse whose genuine concern for each patient was clearly evident and appreciated. Her love of God in every person she met inspired in her a lifetime of dedicated service characterized by her joy and spontaneity.
Sister Margaret Mary is survived by her brother Gerald and his wife Arlene, her sister Rose Marie Nelson, and many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as the Sisters of Mercy who loved her so much!
Donations in memory of Sister Margaret Mary may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 1645 US Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069
Visitation will take place on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Immaculate Conception Chapel at Mount Saint Mary, Watchung.
Wake: 9:00 a.m.
Welcome Home Prayer Service: 10:30 a.m.
Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m.
Burial will be at Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ
