Former Major Superior of the Sisters of St. Dominic
Sr. Margaret Thomas McGovern, OP, died on Sunday, January 10, 2016 in St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell. A funeral mass will be offered in St. Catherine of Siena Convent Chapel, 7 Ryerson Avenue, (Mount Saint Dominic) Caldwell on Thursday, January 14 at 10 a.m. Visiting in St. Catherine of Siena Convent on Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m.
Born July 4, 1923 in Jersey City, Sister entered the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell on February 2, 1948 and professed vows on September 7, 1949.
Sister Margaret Thomas earned a BA in Business Administration from Caldwell College, an MA in Theology from Providence College and her EdD in Psychology from University of Santa Barbara.
Sister taught elementary grades at St. Brigid School in North Bergen, St. John the Apostle School in Clark and St. Mary’s School in Rahway.
Sr. Margaret Thomas served many years in leadership positions for the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell as secretary general, vicaress, and major superior of the order.
Sister also was the director of admissions, registrar and counselor for student development at Caldwell University, was a guidance counselor for students and parents at Trinity Academy in Caldwell and the spiritual director of the Women’s Study Group at Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Verona.
She was a delegate for religious for the Archdiocese of Newark, was a member of the executive board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, was a member of the Dominican Leadership Conference, on the board of trustees of both Caldwell University and Emmaus House, served on the coordinating committee of Bishops and Major Superiors of New Jersey, was a member of the Archdiocesan Commission on Women and Region III Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
Sister Margaret Thomas was the recipient of the Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice (for service to the Church & the Pope). Sister is survived by her brother, Thomas McGovern, and her nephews, Peter Fenty, Mark Mancuso and David Mancuso.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sisters of St. Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell NJ 07006 would be appreciated.
