Obituary of M. DM

Sister M. Margaret DiNunzio, age 86, a member of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, Villa Rossello, New Jersey died, after a brief illness, on Wednesday, July 14 at Misericordia Nursing Center, York, PA. Born in Milford, MA, 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, PA on February 11, 1943, she professed her religious Vows on August 16, 1944. Dedicated to the ministry of education, and having a great love and concern for children, Sister Margaret spent many years teaching in various parochial schools in Springfield, Massachusetts, Berwick, Hazleton, Hershey, Hazleton, Old Forge, and Steelton, Pennsylvania where she was the principal for a number of years. In New Jersey she served as principal of St. Philip School, Brigantine. She also taught at Little Flower School, Berkeley Heights, St. Mary`s, E. 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. As a teacher she was very creative and, with very limited resources could turn an ordinary classroom into a delightful children`s wonderland! In addition to being an educator, Sister Margaret was the initiator of many noteworthy projects. The religious order is especially proud of its Rossello Heritage Room completely designed, equipped and organized by Sister Margaret. Possessing a good mind for business, she also managed the Rossello Gift Shop located 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 on hands mission work during the summer months. Sr. Margaret was completely dedicated to her religious vocation. Inspired by the order`s foundress, St. Mary Joseph Rossello, Sister Margaret, without compromise, gave her "heart to God and hands to work." Always willing to lend a helping hand, she had a friendly way about her that put others at ease. Her approach to life was vibrant and lively and her spontaneous sense of humor drew others to her. 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, MA, a nephew, Michael DiNunzio of Moorseville, NC, and Damian and Gerard Foye, great nephews of Milford, Massachusetts. 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, Massachusetts. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Villa Rossello, Newfield, NJ on Monday, July 19 at 11:00 AM followed by burial at Pieta Cemetery on the grounds of Villa Rossello. Friends may call between 9:30 to 10:45 AM at the Chapel on Monday morning. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 Memorial contributions may be made to Daughters of Mercy, Villa Rossello, 1009 Main Road, Newfield, NJ 08344. To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com