Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger | Diocese of Tucson website

The Santa Rita Abbey in Sonoita is mourning the loss of another beloved member. Sister Margaret Walsh, OCSO, affectionately known as "Sr. Margarita," died Monday, July 1. She was 83 years old.

Sr. Margarita was born in Buffalo, New York, and entered the Daughters of Charity in 1960. She transferred to the Cistercian Order and professed vows at Santa Rita Abbey in Sonoita in 1997. Her sisters will remember her fondly as the "nurse-in-chief" and manager of the kitchen and menu department. Sr. Margarita had a sense of humor and was often tasked with answering the phone and the doorbell at Santa Rita Abbey. She was happiest with a "pile of interesting books" and enjoyed everything from monastic spirituality to natural science, and "nice" murder mysteries. Sr. Margarita found God in everyone she met. Her constant prayer was for everyone to come to know deeply that God loves them. In 2016, Sr. Margarita celebrated her Golden Jubilee.

Earlier this summer two other sisters, Sr. Jacqui and Sr. Kate, of the Cistercian Order passed away within hours of each other. The loss of a sister deeply grieves the close-knit family at Santa Rita Abbey.