Sr. Margaret Mary Gough, OSB died peacefully on Wednesday, February 10 at St. Elizabeth Hospital at the age of 90. A Benedictine sister for over 68 years, Sr. Margaret Mary served as a teacher, dorm mother at Villa Madonna Academy, registrar at Edgecliff College and Villa Madonna College (now Thomas More University), director of Covington Diocesan Office of Pastoral Planning and Research and assisted in the archives of St. Walburg Monastery.
She is preceded in death by her parents Francis and Catherine Volkering Gough, her brothers: Edward, Francis, Jr., Robert, Raymond, William, James and Joseph and her sisters Mary Ellen Webb and Kathleen Gough. She is survived by her sisters: Sr. Denise Gough, OSB, Sr. Stella Gough, OSB and Mary Eileen Gough, many nieces and nephews, friends and her Benedictine community.
Sister Margaret Mary Gough was born on November 28, 1930 to Francis M. Gough, Sr. and Catherine Volkering Gough. She was the seventh of thirteen children, seven brothers and five sisters. Her youngest brother died shortly after birth. Her sisters Sr. Denise and Sr. Stella Marie are members of the Benedictine community.
Margaret Mary entered St. Walburg Monastery in 1950. She became a novice in 1951 and received the name Sister Mary Bartholomew. First profession followed in 1952 and perpetual profession in 1955. Sr. Margaret Mary celebrated her silver jubilee in 1977, her golden in 2002 and her diamond in 2012.
Sr. Margaret Mary taught in elementary schools of the Covington diocese from 1952 to 1963. She served as dorm mother in the boarding school at Villa Madonna Academy for four years. Sr. Margaret Mary completed her B.A. from Villa Madonna College in 1964 and received her teaching certificate. Three years later she completed work for a Master’s in Education from Xavier University, and returned for a second Master’s in Theology in 1986.
Sr. Margaret Mary served as Assistant Registrar at Villa Madonna College 1964-67. When the college moved to Crestview Hills and changed its name to Thomas More College (now University), Sr. Margaret Mary was its Registrar from 1968-1976. She served in the same capacity at Edgecliff College from 1976-1981. From 1981-1996 she worked in the Covington diocesan office of Pastoral Planning and Research, serving as its Director for the final 11 years. In 1997 she became Assoc. Dir. of Development for Madonna Manor, the position from which she retired in 2005.
Sr. Margaret Mary made lasting friends at each workplace, and kept her connections active. She valued her friendship with Bishop Hughes, inviting him to the monastery for cards in his later years.
On Saturday nights Sr. Margaret Mary hosted a regular card game, with pizza and a drink, for a small group of sisters. They will sorely miss her.
Sisters Mary Anne Wolking and Pauline Rice lived with Margaret Mary for close to 40 years. They were famous for Christmastime bourbon balls, and Derby Day Kentucky specials. Maggie continued the Derby Day tradition after moving to the monastery, and ran the betting table. No one gets rich on the size of sisters’ bets.
In 2009 St. Walburg Monastery celebrated the sesquicentennial of the community’s founding. Sr. Margaret Mary chaired the committee, which provided a succession of varied events throughout the year. Her creativity, drive and hard work sparked equal efforts in committee members.
Margaret Mary worked regularly in the community archives. From this work she provided an entertaining, informative report to begin community meetings.
Notre Dame and UK football were favorites. She kept up with the news, particularly politics in recent years. Maggie was forthright in her opinions and honest. Her sisters Denise and Stella summed it up: “Maggie was a strong woman, and she was fun!”
Sr. Margaret Mary died peacefully at the age of 90 on February 10, 2021 from complications of the Covid virus. She is survived by her sisters: Sr. Denise Gough, OSB, Sr. Stella Gough, OSB, and Mary Eileen Gough, nieces and nephews, friends and her Benedictine community. Vigil service will be held on Sunday, February 28 at 4:30 pm and the Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, March 1, at 5:00 pm.; both will be live-streamed at . https://www.facebook.com/groups/715268015980495/?ref=share; Interment will follow in St. Walburg Cemetery.