Sister Cookie Crowley
(Her Favorite!!)
Growing Up in a Tavern ~
Jean Crowley …
Sister of Charity Marjorie Farfsing Celebrates 100th Birthday
On Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, the Sisters of Charity celebrated the life of Sister Marjorie Farfsing. A Sister of Charity of Cincinnati for 82 years, Sister Marge turned 100 years old.
| Just after I turned 7 we went to visit my grandparents in Carlsbad. My Aunt Emily was coming to join us on her maiden voyage trip from the mother house. She was accompanied by another sister as was required at that time to travel in pairs. Her name was Sister Marie Amadeus and her birthday was the same day as mine! She came baring a gift to celebrate that coincidence – a small battery run white doggie that walked, barked and sat up. What a treat it was for me! Suzi |
A native of Mount Washington, Ohio, Sister Marge was born the 10th child of 14 to Edward and Florence Farfsing in Mount Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio). She attended Guardian Angels Grade School and St. Joseph Academy (now McNicholas High School) in Mount Washington. Her paternal aunt was also a Sister of Charity and Sister Marge believes her vocation to religious life was nurtured at home. “My mother always wanted to be a religious Sister,” she said. No one was surprised when she entered the Sisters of Charity on Sept. 8, 1940.
Those who know Sister Marge know her outgoing and spirited personality. And, so, it is of no surprise that first entering the Community was quite a change for her. “When I came to the Community, it was very strict,” she says. “I liked to talk when I wanted to, but within the Community, we had our times of strict silence. This was the hardest part for me.” However, in retrospect, she realized the importance of the discipline as a growing experience in her life. God always took care of her and helped her grow.
With a bachelor’s degree in education from the College of Mount St. Joseph and a master’s degree in education from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, Sister spent the majority of her religious life as an educator. For more than 44 years she served at schools in Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky, including St. Elizabeth, Cincinnati; Holy Name, Cleveland, Ohio; St. Helen, Saginaw, Michigan; St. Boniface, Cincinnati; Little Flower, Cincinnati; St. Bernard, Springfield, Ohio; St. William, Cincinnati; and St. Benedict, Covington, Kentucky.
“Through the years I taught everything from kindergarten to eighth grade,” she recalled. “I loved first grade. Every day you saw what you had done, not only as they learned things but you also saw the children develop. That was special.” Sister Marge, whose father was a musician, also taught singing and directed glee club for sixth, seventh and eighth graders at each of the schools she taught.
Sister’s unwavering strength and deep trust in God helped her through some of the most difficult times in her life, including a battle with cancer. A nagging cough and tumor in her neck led to the diagnosis of lymphoma. She was told that the cancer was progressing rapidly and she only had six months to live without chemotherapy and a 50 percent chance with chemotherapy. With a miracle, and through God’s goodness, she was cured. Her triumph over cancer deepened her faith. “One thing I did right away was to prioritize my life’s true values. What seemed important in my life were dealt with appropriately. Letting God take over, appreciating my family, community and friends, were great factors in my eventual cure,” she believes. “My life has been one of praise, love and gratitude.”
Sister Marge retired in 1996 and currently lives in Mother Margaret Hall nursing facility at Mount St. Joseph. For more than 25 years she volunteered in the Purchasing Department delivering mail; she also performed receptionist duties at SC sponsored ministry Bayley. She is known by all for her hospitality, generosity and her sharp memory. She is grateful always for those in her life and shows that gratitude with frequent correspondence and affirmation in never forgetting to tell someone of her love for them.
When asked the secret to living a long life, Sister Marge said her parents showed her the way with their welcoming spirit, deep-rooted prayer, and love and care for others. “We are all one family,” she says. “I look at each person and see what a beautiful gift each person is. We should all enjoy each other with trust and love.”
courtesy of the Sister’s of Charity, Cincinnati
Keeper of the Family 