Sister Margaret Mary Hughes, teacher, hospital administrator and archivist for the Religious Sisters of Mercy, died July 13, 2019, at the age of 91. She was formerly known as Sister Mary Gerard.

Born on Aug. 3, 1927, Sister Margaret grew up in South Buffalo as one of 10 children of John J. and Mary (Long) Hughes. She attended Holy Family Elementary School and Mount Mercy Academy. She worked for the New York Central Railroad and Liberty Mutual Insurance before entering the Sisters' of Mercy Community in 1949.

Sister earned a bachelor's degree in English from Mount St. Joseph College (now Medaille), then taught for several years in elementary Catholic Schools. In 1954, she became assistant business manager at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. She received a master's in Health Administration and Business Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati. For 30 years, Sister Margaret was a commanding presence at St. Jerome's Hospital in Batavia as chief executive officer and financial officer, retiring in 1992. During this time, she was a member of hospital boards, Western New York Hospital Association, Catholic Hospital Council and Regional Advisory Board. She was well known for her community service by United Way, Task Force for long-term home care and many other organizations.

Following her work in Batavia, she became administrator of Mercy Center and later archivist at Trocaire College. She continued as archivist for the Mercy Community.

Sister Margaret is survived by a sister, Theresa Healy. She is predeceased by her parents, John J. and Mary (Long) Hughes, and her siblings; Sister Ann Hughes, RSM, Sister Marie Hughes, RSM, John, Charles, Lawrence, Joseph, Rita Meier and Agnes Kolodziej.

Friends may call at Mercy Center, Buffalo on Thursday, July 18, from 3-8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be offered at 4 p.m. Friday, July 19 in Mercy Center Chapel.