Sister Margaret Patrick McPeak, CSJ, 84

Sister Margaret Patrick McPeak, CSJ, 84, died on Nov. 4 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 63 years.

Sister Margaret (Peg) was born in Jordan on March 10, 1937, the daughter of Hugh P. McPeak and Margaret H. McLaughlin. A 1958 graduate of Jordan Central High School, Sister Margaret entered the Sisters of St. Joseph, pronouncing her first vows on March 20, 1961 and her final vows on Aug. 6, 1966. Sister Margaret earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from The College of St. Rose in 1963 and a master’s degree in philosophy from DePaul University in Chicago in 1970.

A love of and excellence in sports led Sister Margaret to study at SUNY Cortland for two years in preparation for teaching physical education. When she chose to enter the Sisters of St. Joseph, her lifelong ministry and love became education. She is remembered for her excellence as a teacher of mathematics in Syracuse and Albany diocesan high schools from 1963-71, and as a teacher of philosophy at the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Ohio for 30 years. In 1996, the college — now Mount St. Joseph University — awarded her an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.

In 2009, the college’s founders, the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, presented Sister Margaret with their highest honor, the Elizabeth Seton Award, calling her 30-year stewardship of the mission at the college “legendary.”

In addition to her parents, Sister Margaret was predeceased by her sister, Mary Sue Creed, and her dear friend, Sister Elizabeth Cashman, SC. She is survived by her cousins, Sister Katherine McPeak and Margaret Delaney, her nephew. Frank Creed, her niece, Margaret Ribero, her dear friend, Mary Jo Coleman, and her community, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.

Due to continued COVID health concerns, there will be no public visitation or funeral services. Contributions in Sister Margaret’s memory can be made to The Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y., 12110.