Aston, PA—Sister Margaret Aloysius McGrail, OSF, 87, died in Assisi House on May 2, 2012. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 63 years. Sister Margaret Aloysius was born Jean Agnes McGrail in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of the Shrine of the Little Flower Parish and a graduate of the Catholic High School of Baltimore. She entered the congregation in 1946 and professed her first vows in 1948. Sister Margaret earned a BSN from Villanova University in 1955 and an MSN in Administration in Nursing Education from the Catholic University of America in 1964. She ministered primarily in healthcare and healthcare administration. In her leisure time, Sister Margaret enjoyed reading, writing haiku, and telling jokes.

Sister Margaret Aloysius McGrail ministered for 18 years in the Diocese of Wilmington where she served at St. Francis Hospital, first as vice president for mission and ministry and later as a volunteer (1991-2009).

Sister Margaret also ministered for 15 years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She began her ministry in the archdiocese as a student nurse at St. Joseph Hospital (1951-1954) and continued her ministry in healthcare at St. Agnes Hospital (1954-1955). From 1976-1984, she served as a member of the leadership team for the Sisters of St. Francis. From 2009-2012, she moved to Aston and served as a volunteer in Assisi House. In 2012 she became a resident of Assisi House where she served in prayer ministry until her death.

Sister Margaret served for 12 years at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton (1955-1963, 1964-1967). In addition she served nine years in hospital administration at St. Joseph Hospital, Reading, in the Diocese of Allentown (1967-1976). She was also the president and CEO of St. Joseph Hospital, Lancaster, in the Diocese of Harrisburg (1984-1991). In her early years of ministry, Sister Margaret taught at St. Joseph School, Fullerton, in the Archdiocese of Baltimore (1947-1951).

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Tuesday, May 8. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Margaret Aloysius is survived by a sister, Margaret Kelly, nieces, nephews, and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.