Maryknoll, NY: Sister Marie Morgan died on November 23rd, 2020 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in Maryknoll, NY. She was born on February 14th, 1928 in Pittsburgh, PA to Rose (Gauscheman) Morgan and Leo Morgan. She was one of eight children and is survived by her youngest brother, Daniel.
In 1945, Marie graduated from St. George High School in Pittsburgh, PA. She entered the Maryknoll Sisters Novitiate in Maryknoll, NY on September 6th, 1945 (from St. Canice Parish, Pittsburgh, PA). She made her First Profession of Vows on March 7th, 1948 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Marknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on the same date in 1951, also at the Sisters center.
From 1949-1953, Sister Marie studied at Fordham University in Bronx, NY and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences. After graduation from Fordham University, Sister Marie then worked in the kitchen at Bethany House (the Congregation’s residence for elderly, infirm Sisters) in Maryknoll, NY. In 1954, she was assigned to Queen of the World Hospital in Kansas City, MO to serve as pharmacist until 1966. She then worked in the pharmacy at the Maryknoll Sisters Hospital in Monrovia, CA from 1966-1968.
In 1968, Sister Marie received her first overseas mission assignment to the Central America Region. After Spanish language study in Mexico City, she moved to Antigua, Guatemala in 1969 for more language study of the local dialect, before moving to Jacaltenango, Huehuetenango. There, she began her ministry in pastoral work involving socio-economic programs; cooperatives, leadership training and catechetical work.
She was called back to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY in 1974 for Congregational Service, first working in promotion in the Development Department and then in healthcare in the infirmary and later as a secretary.
In 1976, Sister Marie returned to Santa Ana Parish in Guatemala doing Pastoral work until 1980. She then returned to the U.S. to continue her education at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY from 1981 – 1982.
In 1983, she was assigned to Copilco el Alto, Mexico City where she ministered in Basic Ecclesial Communities. From 1984-1987, she relocated to San Cristobal de las Casa, Chiapas, Mexico, again doing pastoral work in Basic Ecclesial Communities and catechetics.
In 1990, Sister Marie was assigned to San Salvador in El Salvador where she continued her ministry in catechetics and pastoral work. She was also involved with preventive education for an AIDS ministry and served as a volunteer AIDS worker until 2010.
In 2011, Sister Marie returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY where she dedicated herself to writing the history of the Maryknoll Sisters in El Salvador until 2017, when she retired.
Funeral Arrangements: Sister Marie generously donated her body to science. Her funeral mess has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.