Sr Margaret died early on the 7th of December 2024 at St Michael’s Care, Westgate-on-Sea, England at the age of 93, having been a religious sister for 73 years.
Her funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday the 22nd of January 2025 at the Holy Family Church, Birchington, followed by cremation at Thanet Crematorium, Margate.
Margaret was born in Belvedere, Kent, on the 5th of December 1931. The second of four daughters, she grew up in a happy, stable household. She studied at St Joseph’s Convent, Abbey Wood, and did well in her final exams – qualifying in art and languages, history, geography, botany and maths. Towards the end of her school years, Margaret felt the call to join the Daughters of Jesus, who were her teachers in St Joseph’s.
With her parents’ blessing, in 1949 she left home and the familiarity of English life to join the formation house in Brittany, France. She made her vows in 1951 and returned to England to join the staff of St Joan of Arc Convent, in Rickmansworth, before being admitted to Maria Assumpta teacher training college in 1953. Having qualified with honours in Art, Margaret returned to Rickmansworth. Here she enjoyed teaching art which suited her quiet, reflective personality. She was a favourite teacher among the students.
In 1960 she moved to St Augustine’s in High Wycombe and took on the headship for the following 10 years, after which she willingly accepted the opportunity of a sabbatical year in Belllinter, N. Ireland.
On her return, she joined the Maryville community in Welling, Kent as Sister-in-Charge, and moved into voluntary social work in the local Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Here she was much appreciated by staff and clients for her understanding of the difficult circumstances faced by so many people.
In 1973 she was asked to be responsible for the community of St Joseph’s, in Abbey Wood, which she did with good administrative skills and sensitivity, particularly when it came to the closure of the community and school. A heavier responsibility was asked of Sr Margaret in 1979 when she accepted the appointment as Provincial for the Daughters of Jesus in England and N. Ireland. The sisters knew her qualities and trusted her to lead them in a period of considerable change. She did this with the wisdom of a kind and understanding heart, but it took a heavy toll on her health, and she retired in the early months of 1983. After a much-needed rest and a short course at Hawkestone Hall, Margaret was well enough to join the Massingham community retreat house and help in the service of those seeking a time of quiet and prayer. Here she discovered her gifts of counselling and spiritual direction and took a year’s course of training in the States. Back in Massingham her wisdom and sensitivity were much appreciated by many who sought her guidance.
When the retreat house closed in 2000. Sr Margaret moved to Westgate-on-Sea where she continued her spiritual guidance mission. During this time, she also responded to a call for help to teach in our Sisters’ school in Haiti. A second call for help came from our formation house in Yaounde, Africa, and Margaret generously responded.
In 2005 she took on the post of Bursar for the Province in Rickmansworth, until she moved to Westgate-on-Sea in 2018, rendering service in the community in her quiet way, and being content to spend more time in her room reflecting and praying.
As her health deteriorated Margaret moved into St Michael’s care home where she was lovingly cared for. She struggled with the diminishments of old age and came gently to acceptance and peace where her patience and fidelity are rewarded. May she rest in peace.
A tribute received from Sister Marie-Ange Rivoal, France
Dear Sisters,
It was at the end of my spiritual retreat, while consulting the Congregation’s website, that I learned of the death of Margaret Devine… Surprise and emotion! I would like to say to you all that her death touches me very deeply. When I first came to England to finish my degree, I was attached to the community at Abbey Wood, where Margaret was superior at the time (1975-1976).
I’ll never forget the way she was there in different circumstances for the young foreign student that I was: her attentiveness, her discretion, her sensitivity and her always judicious advice. In the same way, I admired the way she assumed her responsibility as sister-in-charge of the community. It was still a large community with strong personalities, and Margaret brought it together with the same human qualities of caring for everyone.
I give thanks to the Lord for her life, for what she did for everyone in the communities, and in her working life. I am in communion with you now and I will be in communion with you at the moment of her funeral, in prayer, thanksgiving, and loving memory.
I often think of you all, dear sisters…
Love and prayer Marie-Ange
Massingham Historical Society were very saddened to hear of the passing of Sister Margaret Divine. Her passing coincides with the imminent launch of our book A Norfolk Manor.
Sister Laurence was the original author, exploring the history of the house from its first owners to when the Daughters of Jesus lived there at Little Massingham. Ant Robinson has revamped the book with quality photos bringing the history of the house up to date. It does include a group photo in which Margaret Devine is featured.