Dr. Margaret Ann Wodetzki, 93, passed away August 29, 2025, at St. Catherine's Village in Madison, Mississippi. "Always ready to help." That was how a student once described Sister Catherine Mary, later known as Dr. Margaret Ann Wodetzki, a phrase that captured the spirit of her 93 years. Margaret was born and raised in Danville, Illinois (Rabbittown), the daughter of Glen Allen Wodetzki (1897-1933) and Catherine Johanna Werner (1900-1992). She was valedictorian of Schlarman Catholic High School's first graduating class (1949) and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1977. Her sister, Mary Wodetzki Murphy, died in 1977, leaving five young adult children whom Margaret lovingly helped nurture In 1955, Margaret entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross, taking the name Sister Catherine Mary. She taught high school chemistry and physics in Michigan City, Indiana, and earned a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Mary's College (1959), and both a master's (1962) and Ph.D. (1964) in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame. She then chose to teach at Jackson State University, an HBCU, because she was concerned about educational inequalities facing African Americans and wanted to prepare more students to become healthcare professionals and scientists. She joined the Chemistry Department in 1970 and taught for 26 years, retiring as Professor Emeritus. Margaret's dedication to justice and service extended far beyond the classroom. She was the president of the Jackson ACLU, a board member of Common Cause Mississippi, an active member of the Jackson Human Relations Council and the League of Women Voters, and a supporter of the Mississippi Center for Justice. She generously donated her time to organizations across Jackson, including Stewpot Community Services, Operation Shoestring, and the Tisdale Library tutoring program. For more than 20 years, she volunteered with the Mississippi Public Broadcasting Radio Reading Service, lending her voice to make news and literature accessible. She also coordinated the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in memory of her niece, Sue (Murphy) Lavery, who died from breast cancer at the age of 38. These represent only a portion of the many groups she served with and through during her lifetime. In addition to her volunteer work, Margaret offered strong financial support to numerous organizations and nonprofits, a philanthropic passion inspired by her mother. Margaret was a faithful member of St. Richard's Catholic Church in Jackson. She had a deep appreciation for the arts, especially opera, theater, museums, and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. She was also a dedicated member of the Mississippi Track Club. Margaret ran over 300 races, winning the Women's Senior Masters title three times at the Vicksburg "Run Through History" 10K. At age 72, she placed 5th in the 5K at the National Senior Olympics, and in 2006, she set an official Mississippi state 5K record. Margaret married Richard "Dick" Johnson, a professor at Tougaloo College, on May 19, 1984. Together, they shared a partnership rooted in service, justice, and love. She cherished Dick's two children, Tawny and Eric, her sister Mary's five children, Sue, Mike, Laurie, Christie, and Scott, her grandchildren, her grandnieces and nephews, and many dear friends. Her guiding scripture was Matthew 25:40: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me." She lived it fully, "always ready to help." Those who knew her will remember the palpable warmth of her smile and the welcoming spirit she extended to everyone she encountered. Memorial gifts may be made to the Margaret A. Wodetzki Endowed Scholarship at Jackson State University, St. Dominic's Community Health Clinic, or Mississippi Public Broadcasting. A memorial mass will be held at a later date.