Sister Margaret McNaughton (Dorothy James), (3/14/1931), beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at the Marian Center, in Holyoke, Mass., on December 26, 2023. A native of Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of James and Dorothy (Scully) McNaughton.
Sister Margaret entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from St. Charles Parish, Pittsfield, Mass., in 1949. She graduated from St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield and earned a A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.
Sister taught at Annunciation School, Florence; Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and Holyoke Catholic High School, Holyoke; St. Mary’s High School, Milford; and Cathedral High School, Springfield. She ministered at St. Michael’s Cathedral for more than 30 years, serving as Principal of St. Michael’s Grammar School, Director of Religious Education, housekeeper at the bishop’s residence, and touching thousands of people as a Pastoral Minister for St. Michael’s Cathedral Parish.
In addition to her Sisters in community, Sr. Margaret leaves her niece Lisa May of Garland, Texas, and a nephew, Joseph McNamara of Dallas, Texas. Sister was predeceased by her twin sister, Patricia McNamara and a nephew, Keith McNamara and several cousins.
All services for Sr. Margaret will take place on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Church, 360 State Street, Springfield. She will be waked from 9:00 A.M. with a prayer service at 9:30 A.M. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 A.M. The burial will be in Mont Marie Cemetery, Holyoke, MA.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.