JOHNSTON – Franciscan Missionary of Mary Sister Margarida Tavares, a member of the Queen of Peace Community, North Providence, died Nov. 26 at the Cherry Hill Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born in Fall River, Mass, the daughter of the late João and Maria S. (Orruda) Tavares.
She entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary at Fruit Hill, Sept. 15, 1940, and professed temporary vows on September 19, 1941 and final vows on September 17, 1946, both at Holy Family Chapel, N. Providence.
Sister Tavares’ ministries throughout most of her early years were in community service as a cook and housekeeper in the Holy Family Community, North Providence; St. Anthony in Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine, Boston, Mass.; and Our Lady of Hope, Woonsocket. She later traveled throughout the United States selling items made by women living in homes operated by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary throughout the world.
She later served as a religious education teacher in Fall River and as a nursing assistant, serving in New York. In 1976, she became a member of the Blessed Assunta Community in Lebanon, N.H., where she taught religious education in a local parish. Sister Tavares was then transferred to Covenant House, Brookline, Mass. and then to Our Lady of the Eucharist Community, Brighton, Mass. She began her ministry in childcare, which she continued at Our Lady of the Visitation Community, Cambridge, Mass. She participated in the Parochial School Grand Parent Program, and was also responsible for the kitchen management.
In 2004, she became a member of the Our Lady of Peace Community where she continued her ministry of intercessory prayer.
Sister Tavares is survived by several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec.1. Burial was in Holy Family Cemetery, North Providence.
