Sr. Margaret Greenly, Rgs

Sister Margaret Greenly (aka Sister Mary Andrew) passed away peacefully at Walnut Creek Rehabilitation Center surrounded by family and friends on Thursday, November 7, 2019 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Sister Marge was born on November 14, 1954 at St. John’s Hospital  in Santa Monica, California.  She grew up in Buena Park, CA where she attended St. Pius V School & Parish, and graduated from Kennedy High School in 1972.  She was a member of a youth singing group called Joy Incorporated who pioneered singing with accompanying guitars at Mass.

From an early age Sister Marge recognized the calling to pursue a life dedicated to God and the Church.  In January 1974 Sister Marge entered a life of service with the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity at St. Johns Villa in Carrollton Ohio.  St. John’s Villa provided care and housing to physically & mentally disabled and underprivileged youths.  Five years after entering the convent Sister Marge made her final profession of faith in August 1979.

Sister Marge studied nursing at Jefferson College in Steubenville, Ohio and received a teaching certificate from Franciscan University also located in Steubenville. Sister Marge formally served as the Director of Health Services at St. John’s Villa as well as the Director of Residential Services. She was known for her quick wit, sense of humor and deep love for children.  Sister Marge was anything but quiet & reserved and was quick to share a laugh with those around her. While she had significant health challenges over the past several years, she did not let that diminish her ministry.  Among other kind gestures Sister Marge was known to always have a supply of Guardian Angel coins and bible verse cards  to provide encouragement to anyone who was in need.     

The last days of her life were filled with a steady stream of visitors from the community who  stopped by to share a story, a laugh or to express their appreciation for the love of Jesus that Sister Marge reflected on a daily basis.

Sister Marge was preceded in death by her parents Mitchell and Madeline Greenly of Buena Park, California and siblings Michael, David, Rosemary and Helena.  Sister Marge is survived by the members of her community, the Sisters of our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd,  Sister Althea Johns, as well as her siblings Brenda Zamorano of Folsom, California, Tom Greenly of Yuba City, California, MaryAnn Miller of Upland, California, Matt Greenly of Folsom, California, Mark Greenly of Houston, Texas and Jim Greenly of Castaic, California.  Sister Marge is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews.

Sister Marge’s family would like to thank all of those at Blessed Sacrament Church, the Becker & Sornberger families and many wonderful friends for the love and support you provided to Sister Marge especially during the last several years when her health began to decline.  A special thank you to caretaker and friend Patty George for the many years of faithful service and friendship to Sister Marge.   

Family and friends may call at Quinn Funeral Home 728 West 9th St., Erie on Friday, November 15, 2019 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm and are invited to attend Prayer Services there on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 9:30 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church 1626 West 26th St., Erie followed by the burial at Trinity Cemetery.  Friends and Family are invited to gather for a luncheon to celebrate Sr. Marge’s life at Blessed Sacrament Church afterwards.

In Lieu of flowers a memorial donation can be made in Sr. Marge’s honor to her favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. You may go online to fundraising.stjude.org and search for Sr. Marge Greenly Memorial Fund.