Friends, with sadness we share the news of the death of our Hermana Margarita Valentin Contreras, OP, in Lima, Peru the evening of March 16, 2017. Affectionately known as “Hermana Marga,” she was the first Peruvian to join our congregation, making profession in 1990.
Her funeral Mass will be in Lima on Saturday, March 18, 2017. At another date we will commemorate her life with a service at the motherhouse in Springfield. Please remember her, her four sisters, many nieces and nephews, and the other Peruvian Springfield Dominican Sisters in your prayer.
Springfield Dominican Sister Margarita Valentín Contreras, died March 16, 2017 at the Dominican Sisters Center House in Lima, Peru. She was born in La Oroya, Peru to Glicerio Valentín Cordova and Victoria Contreras Huaman. She made her profession of vows in 1990 at Immaculate Conception Church, La Oroya.
Sister Margarita gave her entire religious life in the pastoral service of the people of Peru, completing theological training at the John XXIII Graduate School for Theological Study, Lima. She was at various times the Springfield Dominican Associate Coordinator for Peru, pastoral minister at Immaculate Conception Parish, La Oroya, in Canto Grande at the St. Juan Pablo II Fe y Alegría School, and pastoral minister in the mountain region of Jarpa, following the reign of terror imposed by the rebel group Sendero Luminoso. In La Oroya, she often accompanied workers at the metallurgical smelter as they struggled for just working conditions and wages.
Sister Margarita was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Rolando. She is survived by her sisters, Reyda, Irma, Juana, and Betty and many loving nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Sister Margarita are scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2017 in Lima. A memorial service will be held at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, on a date to be determined.
Donations to honor the life and service of Sister Margarita in support of the Dominicans Sisters ministry in Peru may be made to: Dominican Sisters of Springfield, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704.
Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.
