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“Well done good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master.”
– Matthew 25:23
Sister Margaret Mary “Peg” Driscoll, SCL . . . Sister Peg Driscoll, 92, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 74 years, died on Nov. 23, 2021, in Ross Hall at the SCL Mother House in Leavenworth, Kan. Margaret Mary Driscoll was born on Feb. 3, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the last of four children of William and Helen (Hartnett) Driscoll. She graduated from St. Catherine of Genoa Grade School and St. Agnes Seminary (high school) in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her mother decided the 17-year-old Irish Brooklynite would head “out west” for college. She entered the SCL Community on Feb. 12, 1947, and professed vows as Sister Marie Dominic on Feb. 15, 1949, and later returned to her baptismal name. In 1963, she received a B.S. in elementary education from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, Kan.
Sister Peg once remarked that her early years in Kansas were an adjustment, with language being a “primary barrier.” Her Brooklyn accent was hard for Midwesterners to understand, so she worked diligently on phonetics to be a better communicator. She sometimes joked that “Brooklynese” still slipped into her conversations. Ironically, over the course of her entire ministry, Sister Peg used her voice to be a tireless advocate for the needy, the disadvantaged, and the powerless. She sought to live out Jesus’ admonition to care for “the least of these,” and to live a life of prayer.
For 20 years, Sister Peg served as a capable teacher and school administrator in Kansas, Colorado, Montana, California, Wyoming, and Missouri. Her kind blue eyes, caring spirit, and quick wit endeared her to students, faculty, and parents, as did her hard work.
In 1969, her deep concern for children prompted a new career direction: social work. She started out as a deputy juvenile officer for Jackson County Courts in Kansas City, Mo., and was soon made director of nearby Hilltop School for Girls. In 1974, her growing love of advocacy work and social concern led to a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. She then dedicated the next 39 years to a wide range of social services benefitting infants, children, and adults. Much of her work focused on adoption services, child welfare, foster care, emergency assistance, and criminal justice (working with victims and offenders).
Her work for 6 years as administrator for McCune Home for Boys in Kansas City, Mo., was recognized by an official proclamation from a Jackson County official who commended her for her leadership, integrity, and sense of fairness. Sister Peg later said her days at McCune were among the “most satisfying” of her religious service. In 1995, Sister Peg was nominated for a Kansas City Spirit Award for her work as associate director of Catholic Social Services and her efforts as a therapeutic foster parent for two special needs children. The nomination letter ended by saying, “Her influence within our community will live on for years to come.”
A highlight of Sister Peg’s ministry was establishing Ancilla Place, which cared for children needing adoption. Mother Mary Ancilla Spoor was an early mentor who strongly encouraged Sister Peg’s interest in social work–something she appreciated and never forgot. In her advocacy efforts, Sister Peg emphasized the importance of extending dignity and respect to those needing help. She often said that when people come for needed services, “We must act as if Christ himself were coming through the door.”
Later in life, Sister Peg found new ways to minister, even involving her beloved golden retriever, Elisha. They got involved in Pets for Life, a program that trains therapy animals to serve in facilities across Kansas City. Both were profiled in a 2002 Kansas City Star article about service animals helping hospital patients, nursing home residents, and victims of abuse.
In her retirement years, Sister Peg volunteered at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., and spent time with family, whom she cherished. She accompanied her nieces on trips, and graced them with her stories. Being Irish, she was a natural and gifted storyteller. As one person said, “She was like a grandmother to everyone.” Later in life, Sister Peg expressed gratitude to the SCL Community and others for their support: “I have through the years realized my contentedness, my potential, my challenges, my rewards with you, my Sisters, my Kansas family, and friends.”
Preceding Sister Peg in death were her parents and three siblings, including one brother, Timothy Joseph Driscoll; and two sisters, Joan Williams and Helen Pfeiffer. Survivors include 2 nephews and 7 nieces, as well as numerous grandnephews and grandnieces, and the SCL Community.
A vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, in Ross Chapel, SCL Mother House, Leavenworth. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 3. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. 66048. Arrangements made by Davis Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth.
Sister Peg will surely be missed. She brought so much joy where ever she went.
always a blessing to those who knew her.
I really enjoyed working at McCune school. Sister Peg was a wonderful person
My deepest condolences to her family. Sister Peg was a beautiful soul. I worked for Catholic Charities for 8 years and she was Director. I learned so much from her.
I’m so sorry to Sister Peg’s family and also to her community. Although she has received her eternal reward in heaven, it leaves those left on earth to miss her.
I have just found out this evening that Sister Peg died nearly 2 years ago. When I was in a religious order, I spent some summers in Kansas City Missouri. I met Peg’s mother, Mrs. Driscoll, who is such a wonderful Irish lady. Peg embraced your Irish culture specially in her service to the poor. She always wanted to see people advance to their capacities and especially she wanted to bring justice to people. She was a real Irish lady and a wonderful sister of Charity of Leavenworth. The last time I spoke to her, was about seven or eight years ago she continued to be the light that I first met when I was young. God bless you Peg and may you be enjoying the kingdom of God that you work so hard for
Bless you Suster for being my 5th and 6th grade teacher at St.Peters Grade School in KCK so many years ago. So many memories of those two years as well as over all the following years.l
Sr Marie Dominic, then, was my principal and teacher at Holy Name School in Sheridan, WY. As a youngster, full of mischief, she was pivotal in my life. The best teacher and religious influence in my life. Now nearly 72 years old, I think of her ofter, with the very fondest memories.
I met Sister Peg about 10 years ago when we both pulled off Parallel Parkway in KCK to tend to a stray dog. The poor dog had been hanging out at UMB bank for several days, which we both had noticed. We both provided the dog with food and water for a few days before animal control was able to get her, promising not to put her down. We kept in contact for several weeks exchanging information that we each found out about the dog. I even went to sister pegs home. She was truly a caring, thoughtful, loving woman of God
I was very fortunate to have worked for Sister Peg at McCune School for Boys in the early ‘80’s. She had a strong belief that bringing a woman onto campus to work within the boys’ cottages would have a positive effect on their behavior. I believe she was right, however, it was I who also benefited from her example of how to combine firm boundaries with compassion. “Miss” Driscoll and her faithful companion, Tonya, made a lasting impression on so many. Rest In Peace.
Sister Peg made an enormous impact on my life. We became friends when I spent several years working at Catholic Social Service in the former nurses facility across from the original St. Margaret Hospital in KCK. From Peg I learned the importance of the personal touch in administration (she was then one of the administrators at CSS). This served me well when I became a college administrator in WA State. I happily acknowledged how her influence made me successful in my administrative duties. I loved Peg and am sorry I am unable to participate in the Vigil or Internment and share Peg stories with others who loved her as well.
I dearly loved Sister Peg. Her work at the McCune School for Boys was awe-inspiring. She was totally amazing. The workers loved her. Most importantly, the boys loved her. Her LOVE for people was un-ending and so-very-inspiring, and we all were made better ourselves just by virtue of knowing her and witnessing her exemplary life. JOHN KURTZ