Margaret Mary Meenahan

Sister Margarita entered into eternal life on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, 2017. She was born in Shrule, County Galway, Ireland on August 1, 1920, the last child of Patrick Meenahan and Brigid Mullin and the last surviving member of the family of seven children. May they now be reunited in Heaven.

She attended the local elementary school and continued her High School studies at a Presentation Convent five miles from her home. Sisters from different Religious Congregations would come to the High School to talk on vocations and gave information on their work in foreign countries. She felt called to a teaching missionary order and in 1938 she entered the Presentation Convent in Bailieboro, County Cavan, Ireland. In 1940 she got her first missionary assignment to Rawalpindi, Pakistan. In 1941 she made her first Profession of religious vows. She attended various training colleges in India and was assigned to teach in different Presentation schools in the Punjab & Kashmir. She taught High School in New Delhi, for six years and was Principal of that same school for seven more years. India became her second home and she found it hard to leave there when she was assigned to California, United States in May 1969.

Arriving in the U.S. in 1969, her ministry started teaching in elementary schools. Within four years she got her California Teaching Credential and a Masters in Education. In later years, she was assigned as School Principal at St. Bonaventure, Huntington Beach, St. Norbert, Orange and St. Irenaeus, Cypress. In 1980 her Religious community granted her a year’s Sabbatical which she spent at Gonzaga University Spokane, WA. The year closed with a 30 day Retreat which gave her a great spiritual boost for more years of ministry.

After that experience, she was missioned to St. Adelaide’s Highland, CA where she ministered as Director of Religious Education. Finally her last years were back at St. Irenaeus, where as a semi-retired religious, Sister Margarita volunteered her time with H.O.P.E an organization for helping the poor, teaching Religious Ed. Classes and private tutoring of children in the parish school, and Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary.

Sister Margarita passed away on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Seal Beach Hospice facility. Her funeral arrangements are with Pierce Brothers Anaheim Mortuary. Viewing and Vigil Service is at St. Irenaeus Church, Cypress on Monday, Dec. 18 starting at 5:00PM. The Vigil begins at 7:00PM. Mass of the Resurrection is at 8:30AM on Tues. Dec. 19. Mass. Immediately following the Mass, we proceed to All Souls Cemetery, 4400 Cherry Ave., Long Beach. After the interment, all are invited to a luncheon and the venue will be announced. The Presentation Sisters and Sister Margarita’s family, Mr. Patrick Meenahan and Miss Clare Meenahan wish to express their deep gratitude to all who supported them with love and prayer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Presentation Sisters Retirement Fund.

A special word of thanks to the Administrator of St. Irenaeus, Father Binh Nguyen, the Priests of the parish and the Staff of St. Irenaeus, Cypress.