Margaret Wasserman

1932 - 2025

Sr. Margaret Wasserman R.S.M.

11/25/1932 - 09/25/2025

Sister Margaret Wasserman, 92, born November 25, 1932, (formerly Sister Mary Elvira) transitioned peacefully to eternal life on September 25, 2025, at the Sisters of Mercy St. Bernardine Retirement convent in Fremont.

A native of Fremont, she attended Saint Joseph elementary and high school, graduating in 1950. The next year, she entered the community of the Sisters of Mercy in Cincinnati, and began her college education at Our Lady of Cincinnati/Edgecliff College, receiving her Bachelor's degree in Education. During this time, she completed her novitiate years and professed her final vows. She undertook her post graduate studies at Akron University and earned her Masters degree in Education Administration and Supervision.

Her love for her students and commitment to their education is obvious from her over 50 years dedicated to the education ministry. In the summers, she kept up to date in her teaching by pursuing further studies with workshops and classes in Connecticut, Washington DC, Vermont, Illinois, Ohio, and Jamaica, West Indies.

In addition to teaching, she did the planning and implementation for the transition of a half day kindergarten to an all day, five days a week kindergarten at St. Joseph School, writing the curriculum and developing the daily schedule.

Many were amazed at her ability to do so many things, but it became known that Sister Margaret was "little but mighty." In 2006 she was presented the Golden Apple Award by the Catholic Diocese of Toledo, which honors outstanding individuals who devote their lives to teaching in Catholic schools. (She taught in Toledo, Upper Sandusky, Mansfield, and Fremont.) The headline in the Fremont News Messenger newspaper telling of her award stated, "Small St. Joseph School nun earns big honor from diocese." The article continues, "At 4'11" tall, Sister Margaret Wasserman isn't much taller than the kindergarten students in her classes….The award honors not only her teaching tenure but the style of teaching she developed over years of practice."

Sister received a well-deserved rest when she retired to St. Bernardine's in 2013, although she could always be found scurrying around the house, being busy about many things. A real tribute to her is evidenced in the number of former students, over two and three generations, who were thrilled to run into her when they attended activities at St. Bernardine's, let alone when they saw her at church or other places around town. It was always a reunion filled with many happy memories.

At the close of each school day, a chorus of little voices could be heard going out the building, saying "Good bye, Sister Margaret." To that we add our own voices with, "Good bye Sister Margaret. We thank you, we love you, and we will miss you."

Sister Margaret was one of eight children born to Adolph and Catherine (Reiter) Wasserman. She is survived by her siblings, Kathryn (Tim) Garvin, Clyde; Sister Roselyn Wasserman (of the Society of the Heart of Mary, New York); Janet (Marion) Souders, Fremont; and Claron, (Martha) Wasserman, Michigan. Siblings who predeceased her are Mercy Sister Rita Mary; and brothers, Eugene and Leon. Many nieces and nephews remain to remember her.

There will be a 3:00 p.m. Welcoming Service on Tuesday, September 30, at St. Bernardine Home, Fremont, with visitation until 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, October 1, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Bernardine's, with burial to follow in Our Lady of the Pines cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Herman Karlovetz Funeral Home, Fremont.

www.hermanfh.com