Sister Margaret Patrice Devlin, CSJ, 94

Sister Margaret Patrice (Mary Anne) Devlin, CSJ, 94, died at St Joseph’s Provincial House on June 14. She had been a Sister of St Joseph for 74 years.

Born in Syracuse on March 29, 1928, Sister Margaret attended St. Vincent de Paul School. Both Sister Margaret and Frances, her sister, as well as their parents, Margaret Ruddy Devlin and Thomas Devlin, were active in the parish and Sister Margaret came to know and love the Sisters of St Joseph who taught her. After graduating from St. Vincent in 1946, Sister Margaret entered the community. She then began a truly gifted life of ministry to countless children, loving each day.

Along the way, Sister Margaret completed a bachelor’s and master’s at The College of Saint Rose; the first degree in Elementary Education and the second in Speech Correction and Hearing. These degrees would shape her ministerial life. Sister Margaret taught primary grades in schools of the dioceses of Albany and Syracuse.

In 1966, having completed her master’s degree, Sister Margaret moved into the field of speech pathology. For the next 30 years, she excelled in this field. The Sisters of St Joseph opened the Carondelet Education Center, a multi-phase learning program sponsored by The College of Saint Rose and located at St Joseph’s Provincial House. The program filled a major need as most schools were not yet able to provide the intense remediation necessary. Sister Margaret was tapped to head the speech and language program at the center. She served as administrator, faculty, mentor and inspirational leader.

In 1993, Sister Margaret Patrice received the Distinguished Alumni Award from The College of Saint Rose. The citation read, “it is a tribute to Sister Margaret’s vision, dedication, and hard work that the Carondelet Education Center has been so successful in providing services to preschool children. ... It is indeed time that Sister Margaret be recognized and honored by her fellow Saint Rose alumni.”

When the need for specialized speech remediation began to decline, Sister Margaret offered her services as a driver and enjoyed that ministry for several years. She continued to volunteer even as her health diminished. She is lovingly remembered by the Sisters of Joseph with whom she shared community life at the Provincial House, the health-care staff, as well as by family members and her dear friend, Betty Proper. Sister Margaret is survived by a nephew, Christopher O’Hara, and a niece, Margot Robbins. Due to continued health concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no public visitation or funeral services.

Contributions in Sister Margaret’s memory may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement, St Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y., 12110.