Sister Margarida DaSilva
July 22, 1952 –June 30, 2024
Sister Margarida was born in Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal. Her family moved to Ontario when she was a teenager. She attended Christ the King School, Hamilton. This was a challenging time for her, being immersed in an English-speaking school. She quit school at age 16 and worked for 14 years in two factories - Allan Candy factory, Hamilton, and Savage Shoes in Cambridge. In September 1981 she became an affiliate with SSND and in August 1982 she entered the formation house as a postulant in Cambridge. She attended an adult education program, working toward her high school diploma. In 1984 she began two years in the novitiate program. It was a challenge since she was the only novice and had no companions in the program. However, she felt ever more strongly about her religious vocation. She professed her vows on July 27, 1986.
As an educator, Sister Margarida taught at Mount Carmel School, Kenora, and at St. Teresa, St. Patrick, and St. Anne Schools, Kitchener. She then moved to Terrace Bay where she taught at St. Martin School and Holy Saviour School, Marathon. From 1995-1998 she taught at Sakatcheway- Anishinabe School, Grassy Narrows.
The following year Sister Margarida taught at Blessed Kateri School, Kitchener, and then for eight years at St. Clements School, St. Clements. In 2007 she participated in an SSND program which took her to Nairobi, Kenya, and Rome, Italy. From 2008-2014 she returned to teaching at St. Francis School, Cambridge. In 2015 she was asked to be a member of the formation community in Chicago. During that time she was co-ordinator of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program and tutored students in the after-school program.
She attained her B.A. at St. Jerome’s College, University of Waterloo. The following year in 1992 she acquired her B.Ed from York University, Toronto
In 2015 she graduated with a Master of Catholic Thought from St. Jerome’s University, University of Waterloo. Also, she participated in the Ignatian Training Program in Spiritual Direction.
In 2018 she was involved in the pastoral care program at Good Shepherd Hostel, Hamilton. Two years later Sister Margarida was appointed as administrator of the SSND Generalate community in Rome, Italy.
When she was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, she returned to Waterdown.
She wrote: “ I am deeply grateful for the fond memories of my early childhood. My experience of community and family values originated from my early childhood experiences of being raised in a village where everyone cared for each other.”
Sister Margarida truly cared for others.
Funeral Mass was celebrated by Rev. Michael McHugh, chaplain, Rev. Alberto Serreira, and Msgr Ed Sheridan, homilist, on July 5, 2024. Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Burlington.
Many from the Portuguese community came for visitation and attended her funeral.
We remember her generous spirit and joyful presence.
Sister Joan Helm
