Holy Cross Sister Margo Cain 'taught us how to welcome eternal life with joy'

Sisters of the Holy Cross

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Holy Cross Sister Margo Cain died April 12 in the convent in Park City from complications from cancer. She will be interred in South Bend, Ind. A Memorial Service will be celebrated for Sr. Margo Monday, April 23, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church on White Pine Canyon Road in Park City. photo courtesy of the Sisters of the Holy Cross

PARK CITY — Holy Cross Sister Margo Cain, coordinator of ministries at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Park City, died peacefully April 12 at 11:23 p.m. in her convent with Holy Cross Sister Mary Ann Pajakowski at her side.

Sr. Margo died from complications due to cancer.

Sr. Margo worked in hospital ministries most of her religious life. Over the last five years, she had devoted herself to meeting the needs of the people of Utah in community service and social work. Her recent role as coordinator of ministries at St. Mary’s Parish attests to her administrative skills and her devotion to those she served.

Diocesan Vicar General Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, called Sr. Margo "a significant force for good in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. As a dedicated Sister of the Holy Cross, she has worked tirelessly for the most vulnerable and often underprivileged people of Utah.

"Whether serving as administrator, a parish worker, or a community advocate, Sr. Margo brought a quiet dignity and focus to the mission of the Church. Her efforts in health care, in the formation of the diocesan diaconate program, as well as her work at Catholic Community Services of Utah and Holy Cross Ministries, had a powerful influence on the Church’s presence and ministry for the community.

"Sr. Margo’s quick wit, her honesty, and her deep faith will be greatly missed. She taught us how to live life to its fullest and how to welcome eternal life with joy."

Sister Margo was born in Spokane, Washington, to the late Joseph G. and Agnes L. Dolan Cain. Sister is survived by her brother, C. Joseph (Joanie) Cain, Palm Desert, Calif.; nephew Mike (Lori) Cain; nieces Heidi (Jim) Downing and Colleen (Remo) Dubler.

Before entering the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Sister Margo graduated from University of Seattle with a Bachelor’s Degree and worked as a Registered Medical Records Librarian. After entering the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in 1956, Sister was assigned to Saint Agnes Hospital, Fresno, Calif., as registered record administrator. Attending Saint Louis University in Missouri, she received her Masters Degree in Hospital Administration and was named assistant administrator at Saint Agnes Hospital in 1964.

A new assignment brought her to South Bend, Ind., where she was administrator at Saint Joseph’s Hospital form 1966-1976. Sister Margo’s interest in pastoral care took her to St. John’s Hickey Memorial Hospital, Anderson, Ind., for training in clinical pastoral education. She also served as director of hospitals for the Sisters of the Holy Cross Hospitals. The next assignment as administrator took Sister Margo to Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1978-1987. In 1987 she was assigned to Bethany House Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, where she worked with the women and children’s shelter services. She was appointed assistant director at Bethany House and served there until 1993.

Sister Margo was in mission services at Providence Hospital, Anchorage, Alaska, from 1993-1994, and returned to South Bend, Ind., in 1994 and then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, as executive director of Catholic Community Services of Utah, from 1995 – 2001.

She worked with Holy Cross Ministries in Salt Lake as development coordinator in 2001 and then in 2003 became coordinator of ministries at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Park City, Utah.

Msgr. Robert J. Bussen, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Park City, said Sr. Margo Cain’s work with the poor and the vulnerable population in Park City inspired people inside the parish and outside, in the community.

"She assisted at the food bank, ministered to people who were bereaved, taught Scripture classes, and became an integral part of the parish staff and the Park City community,"

Fr. Bussen said he will miss Sr. Margo as both a friend and a co-worker.

"Above all, Sr. Margo taught us about the importance of this holy week; entering into the dying and rising of Christ freely, and inviting each of us into the Passover experience."

Holy Cross Sister Patricia Riley said Sr. Margo’s attitude toward her illness "taught us all how to die with faith and dignity."

Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Ministries, 2570 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Wednesday, April 19th at St. Mary’s Notre Dame, Ind., preceded by a wake service Tuesday, April 18th at St. Mary’s, Notre Dame, Ind. Urn committal will take place at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, Notre Dame.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, 1505 W. White Pine Canyon Road, Park City on Sunday, April 23rd at 11:30 AM.