Sr. Margarida Maria Vasques

Sister Margarida Maria Vasques died am October 11, 2023 at Ollie Steele Burden Manor, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, She was born January 28, 1941 in Ponte da Barca, Portugal. Sr. Margarida entered Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady on January 6, 1956 and made her Perpetual Profession on August 25, 1962. She obtained a Master's Degree in nursing. With an administration degree in Nursing, she became a teacher and later the Director of Nursing School of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in Oporto, Portugal for 18 years. Her Mission also was in Ethiopia and Madagascar. Sr. Margarida could speak 4 languages. In 1988, she was elected General Superior of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady in France. As the Superior General, she was able to travel to many different countries interacting with various cultures and visiting with the many Sisters throughout the Congregation. In 1994, she relocated to the North American Province in Baton Rouge, LA. She became the Assistant Administrator of Ollie Steele Burden Manor and was on many boards and hospital committees. In 1995, Sr. Margarida received a liver transplant. Some of her favorite things were attending symphonies, listen to classical and folk music. She also loved to read about history. Sr. Margarida is survived by her sister Maria Jose Lima Vasquez Marques Pinto and brother in law, Antonio Marques Pinto, numerous nieces, nephews, family, friends and her own religious family, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady. She is preceded in death by her parents, Maria Octavia and Antonio Vasques. Her faith in God, Franciscan vocation, nursing background, and her compassion to serve are just a few of the gifts she will be remembered by in her ministry in the Church. Visitation and Rosary will be at St. Francis Chapel, 4200 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2023. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Francis Chapel on Friday, October 13 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery, 4045 North Street, Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franciscan University or a charity of your choice. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rabenhorst.com