Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of
SISTER MARGARET MORGAN FMSJ
who died at Franciscan Convent, Burnley on Friday 8th October 2021
From 1962, Sister Margaret worked for Catholic Children’s Rescue Society (now Caritas Diocese of Salford), caring for children and their families for the next 48 years.
Margaret Morgan was born on 20th September, 1926 in Rostrevor, Newry, Northern Ireland. She was the fourth child of Patrick and Mary Morgan and had six brothers and six sisters. She became a postulant at Pentecost 1952 and entered the novitiate on 6th January, 1953, receiving the name Sister Margaret Clitherow. She made her First Profession on 29th June, 1954 in Altrincham and her Perpetual Profession there exactly five years later.
After three years in Mill Hill, Margaret returned to Altrincham as a member of the Novitiate Team. She remained there until 1962, when she received her first appointment to Catholic Children’s Rescue Society (now Caritas Diocese of Salford), caring for children in Mount Carmel. Apart from two years in our community in Blackrock, Ireland, Sister Margaret worked in the Rescue Society for the next 48 years. She lived and ministered in Blackburn, Rochdale, Didsbury, Francis Court and Merseybank. In 1971/2 she undertook a residential course in Social Work and when that finished she worked in residential care in Didsbury, followed by Community Welfare Work in Bacup and Social Work in the Blackley centre.
When Blackley closed in 1988, Margaret took on the running of two charity shops in Merseybank and Moston. Here she thrived, making sure the poor were adequately clothed and they had enough furniture in their homes. It was foolish to leave anything lying around the community at that time, as it inevitably ended up being sold and odd items, which disappeared from the house, were no doubt needed by others worse off!
When Sister Margaret left Merseybank at the age of eighty two, the local newspaper described her as “the community linchpin who helped hundreds – both emotionally and practically – during her twenty five years in Chorlton cum Hardy.”
[Photo of newspaper clipping – with thanks to the South Manchester Reporter]
In 2010, Sister Margaret’s health and sight began to deteriorate and she retired to Franciscan Convent, Burnley.
Sister Joan O’Gorman, who knew Sr Margaret well said:
“Margaret lived the Beatitudes. She loved those who others found unloveable and they became loveable. She exercised tough love and humour. Occasionally, people let her down, but she was still there for them.”
Sister Margaret’s health continued to deteriorate and eventually she was confined to her room and then to bed, but she remained bright and cheerful, welcoming many visitors from family and sisters and those whom she had helped over the years.
When she could no longer write, she dictated letters to Sister Patricia who wrote them for her and kept in touch with many people. She was very deaf and almost blind, but she knew everything that was happening and prayed for everyone, including staff members and their families and sick members of her own family.
Humour and laughter were her trademarks.
Sister Margaret was poorly for only two days and then slipped away quietly to the Lord on the afternoon of Friday 8th October in the presence of her sisters, Rose and Breeda, and her niece Margaret.
Funeral arrangements:
Please note that the funeral Mass for Sister Margaret will take place at St John the Baptist Church, Bracewell Street, Burnley, BB10 1TB on Friday 22nd October at 10.00am followed by interment in Burnley Cemetery. Unfortunately, due to continuing restrictions in Care Homes, there will no reception afterwards and there can be no visitors to the Burnley community.
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE.
