Sister Margaret Charles Kociolek, O.P., of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, entered eternal life on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, at the Wartburg in Mount Vernon. She was 97 years of age.

Born on March 30, 1929, in Jersey City, N.J., Sister Margaret Charles was the beloved daughter of the late Charles Jerome and Alma Albern Kociolek.

Sister Margaret Charles entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, on Sept. 8, 1948. She made her First Profession on June 19, 1950, and her Final Profession on Aug. 21, 1953, giving her life in faithful service to God and God’s people.

Sister Margaret Charles brought a love of learning and a generous spirit to her ministry. She earned a BS in math from Seton Hall University, an MA in business education from The Catholic University of America, and a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry from Immaculate Conception Seminary in New Jersey.

Throughout her many years of ministry, Sister Margaret Charles shared her gifts as educator, administrator, treasurer, and pastoral minister. She taught elementary school at St. Thomas School in Cornwall, and Guardian Angel School in Manhattan. In New Jersey, she taught at St. Patrick School in Woodbury and Saint Christopher School in Parsippany, taught business classes at Pope Pius XII Regional High School in Passaic and later served as principal there from 1979 to 1980. From 1980 to 1987, she served as treasurer for the Dominican Sisters in Newburgh. She then ministered as pastoral associate at Sacred Heart Parish in Dover, N.J., retiring in 2018. Even after retirement, Sister Margaret Charles continued to offer her presence and service in various ministries until she moved to the Wartburg in 2021.

Sister Margaret Charles will be remembered with gratitude for her lively spirit, her quick wit, sharing of candy, and the joyful energy that so many lovingly recognized in her. She was lovingly referred to as “the energizer bunny.” Her years in financial oversight as treasurer enabled her love of The Dollar Tree Store. Sister’s attention to detail sometimes found the Meadowview staff and sisters playfully announcing, “Here comes Trouble!”

Sister Margaret Charles is lovingly remembered by her Dominican Sisters of Hope, her brother Father Charles Kociolek, CSC, and her many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Robert Kociolek; and her sisters, Sister Ann Jerome, OP, and Dorothy Peterson.

The funeral for Sister Margaret Charles will take place on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary at Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh. Viewing will begin at 9:15 a.m., followed by a Wake Service at 10:15 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow immediately after the liturgy in the Dominican Sisters Cemetery, Newburgh, N.Y.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Brooks Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Sister Margaret Charles may be made to the Development Office of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, 299 N. Highland Avenue, Ossining NY 10562.