Marlboro: Sr. Margaret Cantwell (93) (Sr. Kathleen Mary), a Sister of St. Anne, died June 16, 2017 in Marie Esther Health Center in this city.  Born in Ware, MA, she was the eldest of 6 children born to Thomas and Mary Catherine (Guiman) Cantwell.  She graduated from the former St. Anne Academy, earned a BA degree from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA and an MA degree from the University of Alaska (Fairbanks).

She joined the Sisters of St. Anne in Lachine, Canada in 1941 and pronounced vows in 1943.  From 1944- 2004, Sr. Margaret taught and served as pastoral minister, archivist, and catechist in schools and community projects sponsored by the Sisters in Alaska in Holy Cross , Nulato, Juneau, Glenallen, and Anchorage and in British Columbia, in Vancouver, Kamloops, Lillooett, Tofino, Langford and Victoria. An artist, writer and poet, she authored North to Share: The Sisters of Saint Ann in Alaska and the Yukon Territory.  She also has written numerous inspirational articles about Blessed Marie Anne Blondin, foundress of the Sisters of St. Anne,

Sr. Margaret’s continuing willingness to serve returned her to the East where she offered museum tours at St Anne Convent, in Lachine, QC and provided an outreach to English speaking visitors at the SSA Historic Center and promoted devotion to Blessed Marie Anne Blondin.  In more recent years, Sr. Margaret has resided at St. Anne Convent in Marlboro where she has continued to write, speak and to promote interest in all aspects of the life of the congregation’s Foundress.

Sr. Margaret was predeceased by a sister and two brothers. She leaves two sisters, Mrs. Catherine Noonan (John) and Mrs. Jeannette Daly (Joseph) and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.  They grieve this loss as do the Sisters of St. Anne and Sr. Margaret’s many friends and colleagues. Her wake will be Tuesday, June 20 from 9 am – 10:15 am at St. Anne Convent, 720 Boston Post Road East and will be followed by the funeral Mass at 10:30 am in the convent chapel.  Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Marlborough. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home, (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne Retirement Fund, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA 01752, or to a charity of your choice.

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