A Mass of Resurrection for Sister Margaret Ann (Sister Mary Richard) Wolbach, OSF, was celebrated on May 21. Sister Margaret, a resident of Mary Queen and Mother at the Cardinal Ritter Senior Services campus, died May 8. She was 95 years old and a beloved member of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help for 75 years.
Sister Margaret was the second youngest of five children born to Ben and Mary Wolbach in Omaha, Nebraska. Growing up in a loving family whose Catholic faith and Polish roots influenced her entire life, she felt drawn to her Franciscan community by the joyful example of the sisters who taught at St. Francis of Assisi School.
She entered the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in 1947 and professed her final vows in 1953. While her ministry started at Chaminade College Preparatory School doing domestic work, Sister Margaret earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Webster College.
Sister Margaret’s 40-year ministry as Catholic school educator and principal took her beyond the St. Louis area to Iowa, New Mexico, California, Louisiana, Nebraska, Ohio and Illinois. Upon retiring from teaching, Sister Margaret continued active ministry as a clerical assistant, sacristan, receptionist and switchboard operator. In 2005, she retired to Mother of Perpetual Help Residence where she enjoyed reading, walking, visiting others on campus and listening to music. She was able to recapture her childhood fondness for softball by becoming an avid Cardinals fan, whether cheering for the team on television or listening to the game on the radio.
Burial was in Resurrection Cemetery.
