(1945-2025)

  Sister Mary Margaret “Peggy” Fornicola, formerly known as Sister Joseph Carolyn, died on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 79 years of age and in the 63rd year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Peggy was born in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan, to Joseph and Bernadette (Juers) Fornicola. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. 

Sister Peggy ministered for 50 years in education in Oak Lawn, Illinois, and Iron Mountain and Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. This includes 28 years at Dickinson Area Catholic in Iron Mountain, four of those years as elementary/junior high administrator. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2025.

Sister Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Phyllis Byrd. She is survived by her sister Karen Fornicola, her brother Charles Fornicola, other loving family members, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

LEFT: Peggy poses on her First Communion day with her brother Charles and sisters Karen and Phyllis. RIGHT: Peggy, as a Postulant, with her Aunt Mell, 1961.

LEFT: Sister Peggy teaches her class at St. Mary School, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 1996-2013. RIGHT: Making up the Offertory Procession for Sister Peggy’s Silver Jubilee Mass in Iron Mountain, Michigan, are, front, from left, her nephew Richard and her brother Charles, and in back, from left, Karen, Sister Peggy’s sister, and Sister Peggy.

LEFT: Sister Joseph Carolyn on the day of her First Profession with her parents, Joseph and Bernadette Fornicola, 1961. RIGHT: Members of the 2011 Golden Jubilarian June-December Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Kathleen Morrissey, Gloria Korhonen, Rosemary Abramovich, Virginia Corley, Mary Jean Williams, Tarianne DeYonker, Carol Ann Gross, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); and front row, from left, Sisters Mary Karen Lietz, Mary Jane Clark, Michele Kopp, Lois Paha, Mary Eileen Sullivan, Mary Margaret Fornicola, Carol Ann Dulka, and Grace Dennis.

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