Sister Margaret Riché, CDP, formerly known as Sister Bernard Joseph, entered eternal life on November 30, 2015 at the age of 87. Born February 9, 1928, in Alexandria, Louisiana to Bernard and Mary Josephine (Pinchenat) Riché, she joined the Sisters of Divine Providence at age 16 and professed first vows on June 22, 1947. Sister Margaret began her ministry as an educator in 1947 at Sacred Heart School in El Reno, Oklahoma. Sister cherished her education at Providence Academy in Alexandria where she was taught by the Sisters of Divine Providence. She was always around the Sisters, so entering the convent was a natural transition for her. The joy and support she experienced as a student continued throughout her life .

Sister Margaret received her BA in English from Our Lady of the Lake College and MJ in Journalism from UT Austin. She was an elementary and high school teacher in various schools in Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas and a principal in Lawton, Oklahoma, her alma mater in Alexandria and finally at Providence H.S. in San Antonio. She also taught English at Our Lady of the Lake University in 1987-1995. In her final teaching position, she taught GED classes as Las Palmas Adult Education Center. Other calls to service were interwoven throughout her years as educator/administrator. She was elected as Secretary to the General Council, was a Convent Coordinator, overseeing the needs of the resident Sisters, became the CDP Archivist and volunteered to assist her fellow Sisters until her recent move into McCullough Hall Nursing Center.

Sister Margaret always left a positive impact wherever she served through building relationships, spreading the Good News and having fun. Her reflection during her 60th jubilee in 2007 sums up her life: "I believe I touch the heart of God when I reach out to others,… A smile, a listening ear, a bit of time, can say, 'I care.' My God is a tender, loving, compassionate God who shows me the way; I seek to follow that way." Those blessed to know her can attest she followed His way.

Survivors are nieces: Rhonda (Vincent) Brocato, Bernadette (John) Germany; nephews: Michael (Charlotte) Riché and Scott (Bonnie) Riché and all her Sisters of Divine Providence. She was preceded in death by her parents Bernard and Mary Josephine Riché and brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Patricia Riché.

The Rosary is Wednesday, December 2, 4:00 p.m., the Wake at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be Thursday, December 3, 10:30 a.m. All services will be in Annunciation Chapel at Our Lady of the Lake Convent.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Divine Providence, 515 S.W. 24th Street, San Antonio, TX 78207-4619