Wake: The Mary Louis Convent Sunday 2PM-7:30PM
Funeral Mass: Immaculate Conception Church Monday 10:00AM
TMLA mourns the sudden loss of Sister Margaret Brosile, CSJ, formerly known in religious life as Sister St. Benedict. Sister Margaret had taken ill on October 20 and underwent heart bypass surgery. She passed to the arms of Jesus on October 26th, 2010, in the 62nd year of religious life.
Sister Margaret had been a member of TMLA since 1963. She is remembered as the heart and soul of TMLA's Music Dept. For more than three decades she led the Glee Club and Orchestra. Her Christmas and Spring concerts remain unrivaled, as well as her annual St. Cecilia Day assembly. God bless you and keep you, Sister Margaret, and thank you from all in your TMLA family.
Sister Margaret was an innovative and wonderful conductor - 4 years in Glee Club at TMLA. She was always teaching us new things, and we put on some great shows, twice a year. I still remember the words to songs we performed. In the last 10 years I corresponded with her, mostly to thank her for developing my love of music. I know that no one in our class ('73) will forget the 'bomb scare' during our Christmas concert - the Dad's were all pulling us up over the barricade in the snow near the stage exit.
ReplyDeleteI just found out about Sr Margaret Brosile's passing. I'm so terribly sad I was unable to pay my respects to the most beautiful soul I ever had the honor of knowing. I was the snare drummer in orchestra '71-'75. Sr was bringing the glee club to sing at nursing homes during Christmas. I wasn't in the glee club, but I wanted to go and participate with everyone so Sr gave me jingle bells to play!! So many beautiful memories I love you Sr Margaret,and heaven is blessed to have you. Rest in Peace and Love.
DeleteMarie Lang
Class of 1975
Oh no. Sr. Margaret was my favorite teacher - I was at Mary Louis from 1973-1977 and had her all four years for music. She truly helped make me what I am today (I am a classical singer), and every time I perform I think of her. She will be truly missed in my heart and the hearts of a great many lucky students who were fortunate enough to study with her. Love and peace to her family.
ReplyDeleteSr. St. Benedict, you were my choral inspiration. My love of singing was nurtured by you, my years at TMLA were enriched by your love of music. May St. CECILIA welcome you through the gates of heaven.
ReplyDeleteJoann Ponzio-Trimarco '67
It is because of Sr. Margaret that I am who I am today. Not only did she develop my love for singing, she gave me the confidence to get in front of people and perform, which I am still doing today. She was my music teacher for all four years (1976-1980) and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be her student. On Sunday, I will listen to Saint-Saens Danse Macabre in her honor since she played that for us every year around Halloween. May she sing with the angels in heaven.
ReplyDeleteChristina Lombardino
ReplyDeleteLove, Peace and Prayers to all.
Donna M Schaeffer Sister played a big part of the TMLA experience for all of us.
ReplyDeleteKathryn Calise Domville God bless Sister Margaret. As a member of the TMLA glee club from 1976 to 1980 I can say that she was truly dedicated to her "girls". She will be missed by all of us...
ReplyDeleteStephanie DeNicola Turner So sad! I helped Sr Margaret with the donor drive when I was a student. RIP.
ReplyDeletePatty Rodin Topakian Very sad! May you rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteThose Christmas concerts under the direction of Sister Margaret were fabulous.
ReplyDeleteMy happiest moments at Mary Louis were practicing and performing with the glee club. We went all over performing. God Bless you Sister St. Benedict!
ReplyDeleteRemembering Sister Margaret today as I was in the glee club under her direction in 80-81.
ReplyDeleteI remember saxophone lessons in Sophomore year - and whenever I hear Handel's The Messiah, I think of her.
ReplyDeleteShe was indeed the heart and soul of the TMLA music department!
Sweet memories of sister Margaret and Glee Club - loved the concerts and our special dresses! Handel's The Messiah definitely brings back thoughts of the never ending practices, all worth the effort and hard work on performance night! On a light note, I remember the year the spring concert and the Molloy Prom were scheduled on the same night...... let's just say sister Margaret was not happy when some of us told her we wanted to go to prom......
ReplyDeleteSusan Bicknese-D'Archangelis 1971-1975
Hopefully you've been inspired in your lifetime by one very special teacher. Sr. Margaret Brosile was that person for me. Not only did she inspire me musically, but she taught me so many life lessons about how to be good to others. She dedicated her life to teaching and was a truly selfless person. She passed unexpecte...dly yesterday. I'm so lucky to have known her. I know she's making joyful music in Heaven.
ReplyDeleteGlee Club and Sr. St. Benedict are among my fondest memories of TMLA. She will be missed.
ReplyDeleteWoW she came to TMLA the year my mom graduated. I remember her too. Her smile was very warm. I will say a prayer for Sister Margaret.
ReplyDeleteThat´s very sad. I remember her fondly since my days in the Glee Club. RIP
ReplyDeleteI still remember a wonderful sign that she hung in the Orchestra room: "When you sing, you pray twice." I was the pianist for the Freshman glee club, and then sang for the other three years. She was a very special woman. I'm so happy that I was able to speak with her after Graduation back in June (2010). She was tickled that I included her in my speech!
ReplyDeleteNote: Jeanne Brostek Altenau was the Graduation Speaker for the Class of 2010
So sorry to hear of Sister Margaret's passing. She was a truly dedicated and talented teacher. Prayers for her family and the TMLA community.
ReplyDeleteSr. Margaret made Glee Club cool long before "Glee." As much as I hated the cold, I didn't mind standing on a freezing corner to catch an extra early Q76 bus to get to those morning practices. I'm so sorry we've lost such a big part of TMLA. My thoughts and prayers are with her sisters.
ReplyDeleteThe Mary Louis Glee Club and Orchestra were renowned throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn and even the Archdiocese of NY. No other school came even close to TMLA in music all because of Sister Margaret Brosile. I remember those simple but beautiful dresses we all had to have made. That was in the early 70s when people still sewed. Sister Margaret gave each of us the pattern and we had to get the dress made. The Freshman Glee Club had the same patterns but their dress was to the knee while the older girls were floor length. All that practicing paid off. Our concerts were spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWish I could be in NY to pay my respects to this wonderful Sister.
ReplyDeleteR.I.P Sister Margaret. Thank you caring so much about our school.
ReplyDeleteI have so many wonderful memories of Sr. Margaret and Glee Club. She saw the potential in all her girls and worked tirelessly to bring out the best in all of us. I am certain there was a rousing rendition of Handel's Messiah when Sr. Margaret reached heaven's door. God bless her and keep her always.
ReplyDeleteSister Margaret, did St. Peter make you sing a few bars of Jingle Bells before he let you into Heaven? That's what we all had to sing to get into the glee club. What a wonderful experience you gave us in glee club and orchestra, Sister Margaret. How I wish we had videotapes or films of your wonderful concerts! Thank you and love you always.
ReplyDeleteSister Margaret was a dear friend for the last 35 years and cetainly made my four years at Mary Louis some of the happiest in my life . I literally lived in the music department from '71-'75 , and to this day remember the feast of St.Cecilia ,and sing along with the Messiah whenever I hear it- still proud to be an alto :) Sister taught me life lessons as well as music lessons . Lots of fun memories ,too including losing a gold slipper getting on to those wonderful risers , singing on WOR for the mass of the week and of course those amazing concerts.I am sure she has a special spot in heaven and is still making beautiful music.
ReplyDeleteDear Sister Margaret, You have touched so many lives and so many hearts. Some of my most cherished memories are of Glee Club - our twice yearly concerts, our long white dresses with silver slippers, Handel's Messiah, the Desiderata. I will never forget your wonderful smile. Thank you for giving me the courage to sing out.
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing Sr. Margaret play Scott Joplin in the Music Room when she thought nobody could hear...that room wasn't as soundproofed as she thought! Her love of music and her God-given gift to teach touched so many lives. I graduated in '78 as a Music Major, and when I became a church music director, choir director and organist, I needed no other education except what Sr. Margaret taught me. Rest in Jesus' arms Sister.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was fourteen years old, I auditioned for the Glee Club at TMLA. The director was S. Margaret Brosile. She told me I could sing better than most other people and that I should do something with this. I did. I've sung in choirs, been the leader of song, and had the leads in many shows in community theater. My... husband and I own our own community theater group. We even met on stage. All of this because S. Margaret took the time to tell me I had something special. Thank you S. Margaret for setting me on the most important path of my life. I will never forget you.
ReplyDeleteI was sad to learn about Sr. Margaret Brosile this evening. Her death represents the passing of an era. She was in many ways larger than life, as she influenced so many. I hope she is enjoying "The bells of St. Clemens" singing oranges and lemons!
ReplyDeleteTo the Sisters of St. Joseph,
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful tribute to Sr. Margaret this morning. I am happy to have been a part of it.
I left the funeral mass today with a heavy heart and sense of great loss, even though the liturgy was beautiful and one Sr. Margaret would have loved. As I was teaching my music classes this afternoon, and going through my music for the Christmas concert, I realized that Sr. Margaret will live on as a part of my life each day because of all she gave me.
ReplyDeleteVery comforting.....
Reading everyone's memories has been a wonderful way to honor Sr. Margaret. If anyone has some photos from the concerts from 1968 -1972 perhaps you'd send them through Facebook? It would be much appreciated.
Margaret was my dear cousin. I will never forget my parents taking my sisters and I to her concerts in the late 60's and early 70's. We had no idea how great a show we were watching at TMLA back then but I guess we learned to appreciate music there and my father loved to sing around the house and in the church so p...erhaps it inspired him as well. I spoke with Sr. Margaret a few days before her surgery and she was positively filled with faith and hope. Truly a courageous and selfless person. She was dedicated to visiting her disabled sister Rose, at Ozanam Hall in Bayside. I'm sure Rose will miss her more than anyone.
ReplyDeleteI was very saddened to recently learn about the loss of Sr. Margaret Brosile, having been involved in Glee Club and Orchestra from 1970-1974. I loved being around Sister with her musicianship, spunk and smile. But the thing I will remember most about Sister, is that she began every music class, orchestra rehearsal, and glee club rehearsal with the recitation of the Memorare. Thanks to her, my children and I say this prayer every single day. God bless you Sister and thank you.
ReplyDeleteMaria, thank you for reminding me about the Memorare. It is very much a part of my life too, but I forgot that Sr. Margaret said it before every rehearsal and class till you mentioned it. Do you remember that she used to say at the end "but in Your clemency" rather than "in Your mercy"? I always use her version.
ReplyDeleteSister Margaret made you feel joyful in her class. She made you feel welcome in her class even if you lacked ANY musical ability. I am saddened by her passing. She will be a fine addition to to choir of angels. She had a sly sense of humor that she share openly with her students. You were a gem in the crown of TMLA and you will be missed.
ReplyDeleteHello Mrs. Benstock. The version I recall from Sister ended "but in thy mercy." Maria
ReplyDeleteSr. Margaret... so fondly remembered. She was a wonderful inspiration!
ReplyDeleteMargaret Romaine Harnett Class of '78