Sister Profile

Sister Margaret Heese

Formerly Sister Margaret Bernard

Sister Margaret was born on September 26, 1931 and died on July 21, 2023.

Biography

Sister Margaret was a native of Robstown, Texas. Her final ministry was in residential services at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Sister Margaret, formerly Sister Margaret Bernard, entered the Congregation on June 17 and professed final vows on Jan. 23, 1955.

She graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She also earned a master’s degree in art education from Northern Arizona University.

She ministered as a teacher and a director of religious education mostly in California.

After she returned to the mother house in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, you would find her in the sewing room mending all the necessary items for the sisters living on the campus.

Sister Margaret Heese (formerly Sister Margaret Bernard)

Complete Ministry

In Illinois: Teacher, St. Sylvester, Chicago (1950-54); Teacher, St. Andrew, Chicago (1955-58).

In Indiana: Teacher, St. Thomas, Indianapolis (1958-60); Archives Staff, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2001-02); Providence Hall Sewing Room, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (2002-2023).

In Oklahoma: Teacher, Immaculate Conception, Tulsa (1960-65).

In Texas: Teacher, St. John, Robstown (1968-70); Director of Religious Education, St. Therese Parish, Corpus Christi (1988-89); Director of Religious Education, Most Precious Blood Parish, Corpus Christi (1990-2000).

In Arizona: Newman Center/Campus Minister, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff (1975-77); Campus Minister, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff (1977-78).

In California: Teacher, St. Therese, Alhambra (1965-68); Teacher, St. Therese, Alhambra (1970-75); Teacher, St. Teresa of Avila, Los Angeles (1978-79); Teacher, St. Anthony, Gardena (1979-80); Teacher, St. Joseph, Lakewood (1980-85); Parish Ministry, St. John the Baptist, Chico (1985-88).

Obituary

Read her obituary here.

Read more

Sister Margaret is featured in the following content on the Sisters of Providence website:

Photographs

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Sisters of Providence who celebrated 75 years with the Congregation include (front, from left) Sister Joyce Brophy, Sister Lucille Nolan and Sister Margaret Heese. They are photographed with the General Council, including (back, from left) Sister Carole Kimes, Sister Laura Parker, General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, Vicar Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp and Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein
Sisters of Providence 70-year Jubilarians along with General Councilors included (front, sitting) Sister Lucille Nolan, (middle) Sister Margaret Heese, Sister Maureen Ann McCarthy, General Councilor Sister Mary Beth Klingel, Sisters Mary Ann Lechner, Joan Matthews, Joyce Brophy and Agnes Maureen Badura, (back) and General Councilors Sister Lisa Stallings, Jeanne Hagelskamp, Jenny Howard and General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski.