Sister Margaret Elaine Rovnak

november 20, 1930 - august 20, 2020

Sister Margaret Elaine Rovnak, (formerly Sister Michaeline) a member of the School Sisters of St. Francis United States Province, died on August 20, 2020, at Vincentian Home in Pittsburgh, Pa. She was 89 and in her 70th year of religious life.

Sister Margaret Elaine followed her older sister, Rose Ann, from their native Erie, Pa., to join our community in 1948. She made first vows in 1950, and before making final vows in 1955, was already a veteran of teaching assignments in the Pennsylvania towns of Tarentum, Charleroi and Pittsburgh. She went on to teach grade school and CCD in the towns of Barnesboro, Farrell, Canonsburg, Ellsworth, Perryopolis, Ambridge, Springdale, Erie and Clymer, Pa., and served for five years as principal of St. John the Baptist School in Perryopolis.

Sister taught the elementary grades at parish schools in Pennsylvania, as well as in the faith formation programs of the respective parishes. She received a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in social studies from Carlow College (now Carlow University). For 22 years, Sister Margaret Elaine was assistant high rise administrator at Vista South LLC in New Castle, Pa. From 2016 until her death, she was faithful to the ministry of prayer while residing at the former Mount Assisi Convent and Vincentian Home.   

Sister Margaret Elaine was one of 11 children of Michael and Anna (Macosko) Rovnak. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by six sisters — Ann Kitza, Mary Drabic, Helen Shaffer, Agnes Chludzinski, Cathy Richwalsky and, earlier this year, Sister Rose Ann — and brothers Nicholas, Vincent, Steve and Michael Rovnak. She is survived by her religious community and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Sister’s cremated remains will be buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh during a private committal service on September 12, 2020. Arrangements have been made by Lawrence T. Miller Funeral Home in Bellevue, Pa.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the School Sisters of St. Francis Retirement Fund, 4900 Perry Highway, Suite 201, Pittsburgh PA  15229.

Sister Margaret Elaine died during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of associated restrictions, a memorial Mass will be held at a later date.