March 5, 2025 at 11:32 a.m.

Sister Margaret Bonville, CSJ, (Sister Margaret Thomas)

Sister Margaret Bonville, CSJ, (Sister Margaret Thomas) died on Feb. 20 at the Teresian House in Albany. Sister Margaret, the daughter of Horace Bonville and Mary Sauve Bonville, was born on Oct. 13, 1925, in Cache Bay, Ontario, Canada. Margaret was one of four daughters and three sons. The family came to Watervliet when Margaret was very young. She attended St. Brigid’s School in Watervliet and graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy.

In September 1944, Margaret entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph at Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Troy. In writing of her desire to enter the community, her pastor, Monsignor James Hanrahan, spoke of her development into a studious and devout gentlewoman. She pronounced her first vows on March 19, 1947, and made her final profession in August 1950. She completed a bachelor’s in elementary education at the College of Saint Rose in Albany and a master’s in special education from Mount St. Joseph Teachers College in Buffalo, and also received certification in school administration.

Sister Margaret spent many years teaching in the elementary schools in the Albany and Syracuse dioceses and served as principal at St. Anthony’s School in Endicott. She brought her rich classroom experience to her ministry as one of the charter faculty members of the School for the Disabled in Albany. She continued serving in a variety of support services for schools and parishes after leaving full-time classroom teaching. In 1989, Sister Margaret returned to St. Joseph’s Provincial House where she participated in many activities serving the sisters. In 2009, she retired at the Provincial House and lived there until moving to Teresian House in 2023.

In addition to her parents, Sister Margaret was predeceased by her sisters, Cele O’Connell and Maura Bonville, and her brothers, Joseph, John and James. Her memory is cherished by her sister, Marie Bonville, and her niece, Marygrace Frank, her nephew, John Bonville, as well as by the Sisters of St. Joseph. We are grateful for the many caregivers at St. Joseph’s Provincial House and Teresian House who provided such loving care,

Sister Margaret’s life was celebrated as she wished with a funeral liturgy on Feb. 25 at St. Joseph’s Provincial House. Contributions in Sister Margaret’s memory may be made to: Office of Mission Development, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, N.Y., 12110.