Sister Margaret O’Driscoll, OP, of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, New York, died on November 3, 2014 in Siena Hall, Sparkill, NY. Born in St. Louis, MO on February 27, 1922, Margaret was the daughter of Patrick and Helen O’Toole O’Driscoll. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on February 2, 1940 and received the name Sister Marie Gabriel. She professed her first vows in 1941 and her final vows in 1946.
Sister earned a B.S. in English from Manhattan College, NY and a MS in Education from St. Louis University, MO.
During her professional life, Sister Margaret ministered in the Brooklyn diocese and the Archdiocese of St. Louis. She taught in St. Teresa, Woodside, NY (1946-53) and in St. Louis at St. Mary Magdalen (1941-46); Holy Redeemer (1953-56); St. Kevin (1956-62), (1979-85) & as principal (1986-90); St. Dominic HS (1962-68) & as principal (1968-79). From 1990–1994 Sr. Margaret was secretary at St. Richard School in St. Louis. Upon her retirement she offered local community service in St. Kevin Parish and at Dominican Convent in Sparkill. In 2011 Sr. Margaret became a resident of Siena Hall.
Sister Margaret is survived by her sister Elizabeth Knapp (Justin, dec.) of St. Charles, MO, her nieces Mary Sue Norman (Robert) of Graston, IL, Peggy Shockley (Steve) of Houston, TX, Carol Walker (Jim) of St. Charles, MO, Julia Beaudoin (Michael) of St. Louis, MO, and her nephews Pat Knapp (Alice) of St. Louis, MO, and John Knapp (Gail) of Olathe, KS. She was the proud aunt of many grandnieces and nephews.
We remember Sister Margaret for her dedication to the field of education, both as a teacher and principal, for 49 years. Sister Margaret enjoyed a good time and loved being with family and friends. She loved her congregation and was faithful to her commitment as a Dominican Sister of Sparkill for seventy- four years. We have been blessed by her presence among us. May God welcome her into his loving embrace and give her the peace of everlasting life.