Michaella Cronin, SCN, 99 (formerly Sister James Marguerite) was born August 27, 1924, in Lexington, Kentucky, to Michael James and Margaret Mary. She died on March 11, 2024, in Nazareth, Kentucky. She was a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth for 69 years.
Born the youngest of six children, Sister Michaella’s first visit to Nazareth was at six weeks old. Her family came to Nazareth to visit their oldest daughter, James Patrick, SCN. Sister Michaella was educated by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, and she spent her summers at Camp Maria in Maryland, where she said the seeds of her religious vocation were nourished, and she made her decision to become an SCN.
Sister Michaella’s earliest ministries were in education. She taught primary grades in Ohio, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Maryland. She served as a school secretary at Mother Catherine Spalding School in Helen, Maryland, and later as the assistant principal. She was the librarian at Little Flower School in Great Mills, MD, from 1993-1997.
In addition to teaching, Sister Michaella served as the pastoral associate at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Lexington Park, MD.
She served her SCN Community as the associate director for Camp Maria Retreat Center in Leonardtown, MD, from 1997-2008 and as a volunteer for the Nazareth Retreat Center from 2008-2020.
She is survived by her extended family, her dear friend, Carol McKean, SCN, and her religious community, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.
Sister Michaella’s Wake Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13. The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m. All will be held at St. Vincent Church, Nazareth, KY. Burial will follow in the Nazareth Cemetery.
Funeral Arrangements are being handled by Houghlin Greenwell Funeral Home, 1475 New Shepherdsville Road, Bardstown, Ky. 40004. Memorials may be offered to the Office of Mission Advancement, PO Box 9, Nazareth, Ky., 40048.
Sister taught Third Grade at Most Blessed Sacrament School in Louisville, KY from 1956-58.
I remember her well. Sr James Marguerite (as I knew her) was missioned at Nazareth School South Boston MA 1962 and taught the 3rd Grade.
I had some serious difficulties with my Reading. At that time I was in 4th Grade and needed additional help if I was to advance to Grade 5. Sister had a Saturday Morning Group of kids like myself with similar difficulties. We met weekly at the N and 4th St Nazareth School in Sr Gerard’s 6th Grade Classroom on the first floor. There were about 15 of us boys and girls. We were all struggling but Sister was always very kind and patient with us and took a personal interest in each one . Everyone liked her. It was not until 1971 that I got a Dx Dyslexia (mild form) that explained
everything. Sister James Marguerite was at Nazareth at the same time as my 1st Grade Teachers: Sr Evelyn Hurley and Sr Angela Hicks both
of whom reside today in KY. In 1984 I was ordained a priest at St Brigid Church South Boston, MA. I am now a retired priest residing in Port
St Lucie, FL but my heart will always be in “Southie.” Thank You Sr Michella. I will offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for you. Blessings! Father Francis X McGerity
May God grant eternal rest unto her and may perpetual light shine upon Sister Michaella. Now in Heaven, may she intercede for us here on earth. She taught me to pray in the 1st grade at St. Anne’s and gave me my first rosary. May her memory be eternal.