Sister M. Margaret DiNunzio, 86, a member of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, Villa Rossello, who served as principal and teacher in elementary schools in the Diocese of Camden, died July 14 at Misericordia Nursing Center, York, Pa.
Born in Milford, Mass., Sister Margaret was the daughter of the late Michael and Grace (Fratta) DiNunzio. Having entered the Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy in York, on Feb. 11, 1943, she professed her religious vows on Aug. 16, 1944.
Dedicated to the ministry of education, and having a great love and concern for children, Sister Margaret spent many years teaching in parochial schools in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In the Camden Diocese, she served as principal of St. Philip School, Brigantine. She also taught at St. Mary, East Vineland; St. Mary Magdalen, Millville; and St. Joseph, Swedesboro.
Her most recent years were spent as pre-school director and teacher at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Newfield.
In addition to being an educator, Sister Margaret was the initiator of many noteworthy projects, including the Rossello Heritage Room completely designed, equipped, and organized by her. Possessing a good mind for business, she also managed the Rossello Gift Shop at Villa Rossello.
Motivated by zeal for the order’s mission in Gonaives, Haiti, Sister Margaret, on an ongoing basis, collected clothes, toys, and useful items of every sort, packed hundreds of boxes and shipped them off to help the poor of this mission. In her younger years, she also traveled to Haiti for mission work during the summer months.
Sister Margaret was completely dedicated to her religious vocation, her community said in a statement. Inspired by the order’s foundress, St. Mary Joseph Rossello, Sister Margaret, without compromise, gave her “heart to God and hands to work.”
In addition to her parents, Sister Margaret was preceded in death by her brothers Daniel, Matthew, and sisters Louise DiNunzio and Mary Oliveri of Milford, Mass.
She is survived by her religious community, the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy; her brother Joseph and his wife Rita; nieces Carla Oliveri and Lisa Foye of Milford; a nephew, Michael DiNunzio of Moorseville, NC; and Damian and Gerard Foye, great-nephews of Milford.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on July 19 at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Villa Rossello. Burial followed at Pieta Cemetery, on the grounds of Villa Rossello.
Memorial contributions may be made to Daughters of Mercy, Villa Rossello, 1009 Main Road, Newfield, NJ 08344.
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