Sister Peggy F. Byrne

Margaret Frances Byrne, the daughter of John and Margaret Doyle Byrne was born June 2, 1937, in Wexford, Ireland. Baptized Margaret Frances, she was called Peggy.

In 1953 she came to the United States to join the Sisters of the Presentation, Fargo. On reception into the community, she was given the name Sister Regina Marie. (Following Vatican II she reverted to her baptismal name and was once again “Peggy.”) She made profession of vows in 1957.

A graduate of Shanley High School, she received her baccalaureate degree from the College of St. Benedict and her master’s degree from Creighton University.

For 25 years she taught in North Dakota parochial schools– St. Mary’s, St. Anthony’s, Holy Spirit and Nativity Schools in Fargo and St. Alphonsus School in Langdon. During this time, she was inducted into the Red River Valley Historical Society Educators Hall of Fame and had work published in the North Dakota Council of Teachers of Mathematics Journal.

From 1982 to 2015 she worked in Chimbote, Peru, establishing educational and social service programs as well as overseeing sanitation construction projects. An organization (ACAF) she founded in Chimbote was featured in a publication of the UN NGO Committee for Social Development as an example of the power of grass roots endeavors. For the children of Chimbote, she established the Margaret and John Byrne Scholarship in memory of her parents. Later, the Sister Peggy Scholarship was established by the Friends of Chimbote, an organization she co-founded with Rev. Jack Davis.

Her presence was felt from soup kitchen to classroom to boardroom. Her friendships extended from well-to-do benefactors to those burdened by poverty and included most people she met along her journey. One and all she greeted as “Hon.”

Several organizations recognized the positive impact of her ministry. She received the Caritas Award from North Dakota Catholic Charities and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the FM-YWCA. Province Del Santa ceremonially noted her “extraordinary” work on behalf of vulnerable women and she is one of the few women who have been presented with the Keys to the City of Chimbote.

Her biography, Twice a Missionary, was published in 2007. Following her retirement, Sister Peggy continued to be an advocate for the mission In Chimbote and often spoke at fundraisers. While a hard worker, she also knew how to have fun and enhance the enjoyment of others at any gathering. If the music was playing, she was dancing whether it was a polka or Celtic step-dance.

Sister Peggy died August 30. May she rest in peace.

Sister Peggy is survived by her sister Pacelli (Jimmy) Whelan, nieces and nephews and their families in Ireland, the Presentation Sisters and Associates.
Her parents preceded her in death as did her brothers James and William Hendrick, Gerald, Paddy and Toddy Byrne and her sisters Eileen Kendrick and Peggy Byrne.

Visitation: One hour prior to Vigil and one hour prior to Mass
Vigil Service: September 10, 2026, 6:30 PM St. Joseph’s Chapel Riverview Place
Mass of Christian Burial: September 11, 2026, at Nativity Catholic Church
Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery North following Mass