Sister Mary Margaret Kerr, SND, (formerly Sister Mary St. Maurus) died March 6 at the Sister of Notre Dame Health Care Center in Chardon, Ohio, at age 92.
Sister Margaret was a cherished aunt and great-aunt, cousin, friend to many, and sister to the congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame with whom she shared her life for 72 years.
She was the youngest of six children born to Maurice and Edith Kerr March 3, 1934, in Cleveland. She joined her sister and four older brothers in their Cleveland Heights home in St. Ann Parish, where the children attended school and received the sacraments. Sister Margaret was playful, full of energy and delighted in learning and participating in any sport. Family was the center of her young life and continued to be a source of joy for her 92 years.
While a student at Notre Dame Academy in Cleveland, she realized that becoming an aspirant would help her move into religious life faster. Sister Margaret entered the community as a postulant Feb. 2, 1952. At investment she received the name Sister Mary St. Maurus.
Sister Margaret earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John College in Cleveland and a master’s degree from John Carroll University. She was first assigned to teach in primary grades but found her true classroom calling with junior high students. Sister ministered in parish schools in the dioceses of Cleveland, Youngstown, Ohio, and Arlington.
Perhaps she is best remembered as an eighth-grade math teacher and an innovative computer instructor who met the needs of students of all ages. During recess supervision, she loved to wow the children by hitting a baseball or throwing a football, which earned her great respect.
Sister Margaret had innate skills that allowed her to help establish and organize school libraries, media centers and computer labs. She could fix anything that was broken. Her energy for ministry and community was strong as she enjoyed and took great pride in being an accomplished tour guide for the sisters and guests who visited Washington.
After serving at St. Agnes School in Arlington for more than 20 years, a place she loved, Sister Margaret moved back to Chardon and continued working with students at the Notre Dame Skills Lab and at the hospitality desk at Hillcrest Hospital. She carried a spirit of joy and welcome wherever she went.
Throughout her life, Sister Margaret remained close to her large and loving family. Visits were events remembered with great fondness. She livened up every room and brought a smile to many faces. Sister Margaret lived her faith and her love for God with limitless energy.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered March 13 at 10:30 a.m., at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 13000 Auburn Rd., Chardon, Ohio. It will be livestreamed at sndusa.org. Click on the Chardon Regional Center.
