Sister Margaret Theresa Oettinger, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital, New York City, on April 6, 2026. She was 82 years old.
Maureen Oettinger was born in New York City on June 24, 1943, to William and Margaret Molohan Oettinger. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill, NY, on September 8, 1962, and received the name Sister Margaret Theresa. She professed her first vows in 1964 and final vows in 1969.
Sister Margaret earned a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY, in 1967, and an MA in Education from Manhattan College in the Bronx, NY, in 1975. She became a board-certified chaplain in 1991.
Sister Margaret began her ministry at the Dominican Sisters Villa Infirmary in Sparkill (1964-1965) as a nurse’s aide. Her teaching ministry included Sacred Heart School, Suffern, NY (1965-1967); St. Mary Magdalene School, Springfield Garden, NY (1967-1969);St. Catherine Laboure, Lake Katrine, NY (1969-1973) and St. John Chrysostom School (1973-1981). In 1981, Sister Margaret volunteered to serve in the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Mission in the Multan Diocese in Pakistan. From 1981-1989, she served as a teacher supervisor in the Dominican Convent School and as a pastoral minister at Nishtour Hospital. Upon her return to the United States, Sister Margaret ministered as a CPE Pastoral Assistant at the NYU Medical Center, NY (1989-1990); as a Pastoral Care Assistant at Hospital for Special Surgery and New York Hospital (1993-2004); and as Director of Pastoral Care at Hospital for Special Surgery from 1992 until 2025.
Sister Margaret is predeceased by her parents, William and Margaret, as well as her siblings: Peter, Billy, Barbara, Peggy, Bobby, Roseanne, Patrick, and Kathy. She is survived by her beloved brother, Jimmy, and her beloved nieces, nephews, Dominican Sisters, and Associates.
Sister Margaret leaves a legacy of educating and empowering young minds and hearts, and attending to the pastoral needs of countless men, women, and children through her ministry of Chaplaincy. Well done, good and faithful servant, Sister Margaret Theresa Oettinger—you lived the Beatitudes and the Dominican pillars of prayer, community, study, and service! May you be welcomed into the fullness of the presence of God and the company of our Blessed Mother Mary. May the road rise up to meet you!
Viewing and Mass of Christian Burial
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Wake: 9:30 am; Prayer Service 10:00 am; Mass at 11:00 am
Wake Service: Click here for livestream link.
Funeral Service: Click here for livestream link.