Mother Margaret Mary Catholic High School

Born Laura Hickey in 1890, Mother Margaret Mary became a member of the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) congregation in 1910. The FCJ sisters were the first community of religious women who taught in Edmonton Catholic Schools, beginning in 1888. She studied in England and Belgium, but most importantly, she was the first female religious to attend the University of Alberta and the first to graduate with a Masters degree in 1916.

Mother Margaret Mary taught in Edmonton Catholic Schools for 50 years. She began her teaching career as the principal of St. Mary Boys and Girls School in 1911. When St. Mary became a Girls’ High School in 1923, Mother Margaret Mary remained as principal, thereby becoming the first woman high school administrator in the Edmonton Catholic School District. She remained in this position until 1954 when the school was amalgamated with St. Joseph High School, and she continued teaching from 1954 until her retirement in 1961.

Mother Margaret Mary was best known for her ability as a mathematics teacher, but her strong academic background and personal qualities of versatility and flexibility allowed her to teach almost any subject.

Representing not just herself but all the teaching members of the FCJ congregation, Mother Margaret Mary serves as an inspiration for young women and men alike to take on long-term leadership and service roles.

Mother Margaret Mary died in 1989, 11 days before her 100th birthday.