April 2, 2025

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Sister Marilyn C. McGillan, APB, on Monday, March 31, at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, Watertown. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery.

Calling hours will be on Sunday, March 30, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Precious Blood Monastery in Watertown.

Sister Marilyn passed away peacefully in the loving arms of Jesus on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Samaritan Hospital in Watertown at the age of 87.

Sister Marilyn was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, on October 6, 1937. She was the daughter of Francis and Gertrude (Martin) McGillan.

Sister was predeceased by all of her siblings, Francis McGillan, Marguerite Donovan, Jean Anne Sweeney, and James McGillan. She grew up in a home filled with deep faith, love and laughter.

An avid reader and gifted writer, Sister Marilyn graduated from St. Joseph High School for Girls in 1955. At that time, she wanted to enter monastic life, however her parents were adamant that she “either continue her education or go to work for at least one year.” Subsequently, she worked for the Telephone Company. A year later, on the day she left her job, the chief engineer presented her with a gift and said, “We couldn’t lose you to a better fellow!”

On October 1, 1956, the Feast Day of Saint Therese, Sister Marilyn entered the Monastery of the Precious Blood and later made her Perpetual Vows as a Sister Adorer of the Precious Blood in Manchester, New Hampshire, on June 27, 1961.

While there, she founded the Missionary Rosebushes of Saint Therese. This Apostolate continues to support third world seminarians even to this day.

In 1973, Sister Marilyn was invited to the Precious Blood Monastery in Watertown, New York, to help in the newly founded Community.

By 1975, Sister was elected Superior of the new Community, and, consequently, oversaw the construction of the new Monastery building, located at 400 Pratt Street.

In her 52 years in Watertown, Sister Marilyn assumed various leadership roles. These included superior, assistant superior, treasurer and novice directress. Additionally, she was elected the President of the American Federation of the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood, which consisted of six Precious Blood Monasteries in both the United States and Canada.

Sister Marilyn dedicated her life to Jesus. She viewed prayer as a way to take her all over the world to do God’s work. Sister was a well-respected spiritual director, who was devoted to the Watertown community and the Institute of the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

Sister Marilyn believed with her whole heart and in her own words: “He called me to the most rewarding life I could ever have imagined.” She served with fidelity, constancy, generosity and love.

Sister Marilyn is survived by many nieces and nephews who truly loved her. She will be greatly missed by her family, the community of Watertown and the many who knew her as a dear and loving friend.

The Sisters of the Precious Blood wish to acknowledge with appreciation the kind and dedicated care given by the palliative care coordinator Maggie-Anne Smith, PA-C, the doctors and nursing staff at Samaritan Hospital, Judy Maloney, Maryann Greenwood, the Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod and Sister Marilyn’s loving family in her last days.

Arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. Online condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com