Margaret Joseph Mokes, SSJ, age 87, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on February 16, 2016. She was in the 67th year of her religious life. She was born in Kingston, PA, on May 30, 1928, the daughter of the late Albert and Margaret (Ring) Mokes. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Francis Parish in Clearfield, PA, on August 29, 1948, professed her final vows on August 15, 1954, and celebrated her Diamond Jubilee (60 years) in 2008.
Sister Margaret Joseph graduated from St. Francis High School, Clearfield, PA, and continued her education at Villa Maria College in Erie. She graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She furthered her education at Edinboro University in Edinboro, PA, where she earned certification in library science in 1968. Sister Margaret Joseph also earned nurse aide certification from Crawford Vocational School in Meadville, PA in 1996.
For nearly 50 years, Sister Margaret Joseph taught at numerous Diocesan schools including Blessed Sacrament, Sacred Heart, St. Paul, and St. Ann schools in Erie; Holy Rosary, Johnsonburg; Saint Leo, Ridgway; St. Bernard, Bradford; St. Mary’s, Reynoldsville; and Seton School in Meadville, PA where she also served as principal. In 1996, she was conferred the Papal Cross “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” by Pope John Paul II for lifetime work in education. She also served as night and weekend manager at Maryvale Apartments and as an activity aide at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie. She retired in 2006 and resided at the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center.
Sister Margaret Joseph maintained close relationships with the SSJ Associates in the Meadville, Pennsylvania area and she inspired others by her example and prayerfulness.
Memorials may be made to the Community Support Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph.