In loving memory ...

	Sister Mary Margaret Koester, CSC Birth: March 13, 1926 Profession: August 15, 1947 Death: November 19, 2008

Word has been received of the death of Sister Mary Margaret Koester (Sister Leo Irene) who died at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, in Saint Mary’s Convent.

Sister Mary Margaret, affectionately called “Twin” by her friends, was a remarkable religious who never called attention to herself but always was ready to reach out to anyone she could help. Her ministry life was spent mostly in the hospitals of the Midwest but always with the personal goal of serving others.

She took her assignments very seriously and when she accepted the position of pastoral care coordinator at Saint Mary’s Convent, she fulfilled that huge responsibility with meticulous care. Each day she even carried in her pocket the list of assigned Mass ministers so she could check to be sure all positions were covered. If given a job, she did it wholeheartedly and saw it to completion to the last detail.

Because of her willingness to serve wherever she was needed, she had the good fortune of spending three years as nurse/councilor for the Rome program and six years on the staff of the Mater Ecclesiae Center in Tiberias. She loved these experiences and the people with whom she worked and lived. Sister Mary Margaret was a “people person” and extended the warm hand of friendship to all: family, sisters, employees, friends and newcomers to Saint Mary’s.

Family and community were very important to Sister Mary Margaret and she cherished them both, keeping them close through letters and phone calls and as many frequent visits as her busy schedule allowed. Having her twin sister, Sister Leo Joseph, with her in the same community was a gift she treasured. Though they were never carbon copies of each other, there was a deep love and devotion between them that was visible to all who knew “the twins.”

It is always difficult to give up treasured possessions, but how much more difficult to relinquish physical and mental agility. Sister Mary Margaret surrendered both of these with the grace and acceptance of one very close to God, placing all things in his loving hands. Twin now has given her Lord the very last measure and he has accepted the gift and given his beloved servant her just reward.

Funeral arrangements for Sister Mary Margaret are as follows: Reception of the body at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 24, with the Mass of Resurrection and the eulogy at 10:30 a.m. the same day. All of these ceremonies will take place in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto. May Sister Mary Margaret rest in peace.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.