Sister Margaret Marincel, OSB, 89, died on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. Born on September 26, 1925, she was the daughter of Nick and Helen (Majnerich) Marincel from Mountain Iron, Minnesota. Sister was in her 69th year of Monastic Profession.
After Sister Margaret graduated from Mountain Iron High School, she felt that she had a calling to religious life. Within a year she entered St. Scholastica Monastery on September 8, 1944. She professed her Triennial Vows on July 11, 1946, and made her Perpetual Monastic Profession on July 11, 1949. Sister celebrated her Silver Jubilee on December 14, 1971, her Golden Jubilee on July 7, 1996, and her Diamond Jubilee on July 9, 2006.
Earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from The College of St. Scholastica, Sister Margaret completed a long and outstanding ministry to elementary school children of nearly 50 years. She especially found great joy in teaching fourth and fifth graders where with her lively personality she stimulated and maintained a wonderful learning environment. She began her teaching ministry in Duluth where she taught at Sacred Heart (1947-49), at St. John’s School (1949-54, 57-59), and at St. Anthony’s School (1956-57). After her assignment to St. Timothy’s School (1954-56) in Chicago, she moved to Phoenix to teach at St. Thomas the Apostle School (1959-70, 1972-74, 75-78). Sister Margaret served as a Librarian at Our Lady of Victory in Minneapolis (1974-75) and at St. Thomas the Apostle (1978-97). Retiring from her teaching and library ministries, Sister Margaret returned to St. Scholastica Monastery in 1997 where she continued to serve in many areas of the Monastery as well as assist the Liturgy Coordinator at The Benedictine Health Center (2001-03). In 2010 Sister moved to Benet Hall where she faithfully continued her Prayer Ministry.
In the summer of 1961 Sister Margaret toured the countries of Italy, France, Switzerland and Yugoslavia, accompanied by her brother the Rev. Frank Marincel. Sister found the six weeks she spent in Yugoslavia, especially in Zagreb, Croatia, highly inspirational because not only was it the birthplace of her parents and where she visited many relatives, but it was also under strict communist control. She never forgot how many Catholics walked miles to attend a Mass while enduring duress from communist party members, and she observed: “ As soon as I crossed the border of Yugoslavia into Italy I felt as though a heavy cloak had been lifted, and I was ready to kiss the earth of a free country.”
Sister Margaret was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Father Frank Marincel. Besides the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery, she is survived by her brother Joe Marincel and his wife Marlys, devoted nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
The Wake Service/Morning Prayer was held on June 2, 2015, in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at 9:30 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11:00 a.m. with Father Brian Schultz presiding. The Rite of Committal to the Earth was at Gethsemane Cemetery. Arrangements were by Dougherty Funeral Home. Memorials to St. Scholastica Monastery are preferred.