BEAVERTON — Sister Mary Margaret Tan, 95, died after a short illness in the convent infirmary of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, Beaverton, January 13.

In a remembrance, the sisters asked, “What could be a better way to start the day than to receive Jesus in the Eucharist in the Sister’s Chapel each morning and then to be greeted by Sister Margaret with a little bow and a big smile – or an equally big hug, as she used her walker to maneuver her way back to the infirmary?“

Sister Margaret possessed a childlike faith, her particular attention to the Liturgy of the Hours and the readings at Mass, using her big magnifying glass, so that she wouldn’t miss a word. Her love of little children and French bulldogs, the scarier looking the better – the simple joys of life — made her laugh.

Sister Margaret was born in mainland China Feb. 22, 1926. A diminutive 4’10’’, at the age of 23, she left her parents and siblings and entered the Congregation of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows in Hengyang, Hunan, China. Sister Margaret became a novice Aug. 12, 1952. She came to the United States in the early 1950s. She spent 12 years in Soquel, California, helping with the retreat house ministry at St. Clare’s Retreat. Next she came to Oregon, spending several years in Beaverton at Our Lady of Peace Retreat working in the retreat ministry. During this time, she also helped care for the young residents next door at St. Mary’s Home for boys. Then Sister Margaret spent 44 years in Taiwan at the Franciscan Sisters’ women’s hostel.

Sister Margaret returned from Taiwan to the convent infirmary several years ago. Much of her free time was spent researching various subjects and poring over the Chinese newspapers. She would then take the latest news to the chapel where she offered fervent prayers, often aloud, for her beloved people. The sisters here wrote they are thankful to have had Sister Margaret in their midst, as a worker and a lover of life and of the mysteries of faith. “We ask in your charity, that you remember her in your prayers.”

The rosary for Sister Margaret was held at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 and the funeral Mass was celebrated Jan. 20, both in the retreat house chapel, with interment following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Remembrances may be sent to Franciscan Missionary Sisters Infirmary, 3600 SW 170th Ave., Beaverton, 97003 or online at olpretreat.org/donate.