The daughter of the late William Peter and Theresa Mary Lenard Houwen, she was born February 27, 1925 in Lindenwold, New Jersey.

Sister Margaret Mary entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh on September 6, 1941, made her First Profession June 17, 1943, and Final Profession August 25, 1949. Sister Margaret Mary earned her BA in Mathematics from Villanova and her MS in Secondary School Science and Education from the University of Scranton, Pennsylvania. She did further studies at the University of San Diego, Marist College, Vassar College, Providence College, Montclair State College, Catholic University of America, and Fordham University.

Ministry history:
Sister Margaret Mary was an elementary school teacher at St Rose School in Haddon Heights, New Jersey (1944-60) and St. Paul School in Jersey City (1960-61). She was a math and science teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, New York (1961-70); taught math, science and was a guidance counselor at Pope Pius XII Regional High School in Passaic, New Jersey (1970-78); and taught math (1978-79) and was a guidance counselor (1979-82) at Holy Cross High School in Delran, New Jersey. Sister was guidance counselor at Msgr. Donovan High School (1982-86); served as senior sister coordinator at Mt St. Mary Convent in Newburgh (1986-88) and returned to Msgr. Donovan High School in 1988, where she was guidance counselor until 2004. She continued to live at St. Joseph’s where she was volunteer until the present. During her ministry years, Sister moderated a Christian Service Club called Project “GO” (Guidance Outreach), whose members call and visit the homebound of St. Joseph Parish in Toms River. This club won the Best Practice Award from the Diocese of Trenton in June 2000. Sister Margaret Mary was also spiritual advisor for the St. Catherine of Siena Chapter of the Dominican Laity. In addition, Sister was an avid gardener.

Sister Margaret Mary is survived by two brothers: Harry J. Houwen, of Cinnaminson NJ, and Joseph L. Houwen, of West Palm Beach FL. She is also survived by one sister, Anna M. McHenry, of Maple Shade NJ, several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews and great grand nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by two brothers, John and William, and three sisters: Theresa Walker, Mary Cerone, and Ruth Blair.