Sister Margaret Safford

 
Sister Margaret Safford, O. Carm., a Sister of Mount Carmel died November 4, 2018, at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center, New Orleans, LA.  She was 86 years old and in the 66th year of her religious profession.
 
             Sister Margaret, formerly Sister M. Sidney, was born Hilda Margaret Safford, on July 14, 1932 to James Clarence Safford of Montrose, PA and Hilda Levert of Mark, LA.  She entered the Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Sept. 4, 1949, and received the habit of the Sisters of Mount Carmel on Aug. 3, 1950.  On Aug. 4, 1952 she made her first profession, and pronounced perpetual vows Aug. 3, 1955. She celebrated her 60th Jubiliee in 2012.  
             
             Sister attended Mount Carmel Elementary and High School in Lafayette, LA.  She received a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Loyola University, New Orleans with General Science as her major field and a master’s degree in Education and a minor in Administration from St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO and a second master’s in Pastoral Studies from Loyola, Chicago, IL.  Her post graduate work included: Theology at St. Mary’s University and Regis College, Creativity and Contemplation at Notre Dame University, and Program for Spiritual Directors, Archdiocesan Spirituality Center, New Orleans, LA.
 
            Sister Margaret served for over 25 years in Catholic education teaching at Mount Carmel schools in Thibodaux, Abbeville, and New Orleans and at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Westwego, LA, St. James Major, New Orleans, LA, and Vermillion Catholic, Abbeville, LA, where she was also principal from 1966-1977.  She has also served as president and assistant to the president of the congregation, an adult educator at Hope House, manager and spiritual director of Blessing Place (now the Carmelite Spirituality Center) and pastoral minister at St. Margaret’s Daughter’s Nursing Home.  In 2005 Sister Margaret returned to the Carmelite Sprituality Center as assistant to the director and served until 2015.
 
            Sister Margaret, the third of five children was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James Clarence Safford, Jr.  She is survived by three sisters, Mary Lou Begnaud of Natchitoches, LA, Alice Robertson of Indialantic, FL, and Alma Yvonne “Bebe” Ebel, New Iberia, LA.   
 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Sisters of Mount Carmel Motherhouse Chapel, 420 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA on Saturday, November 10, 2018.  Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with Mass at 11:00 a.m.  Sister Margaret will be interred in St. Louis No. 3 Cemetery.  A reception will follow the burial in the Motherhouse Dining Room.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA. Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenfh.com

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