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Community Corner

Gutsy Nun Spends Lifetime Giving Back to Those in Need

Despite challenges such as teaching in tough, inner-city schools and battling cancer, Sister Margaret Smyth is a symbol of hope and humanity for the needy she helps.

By Lisa Finn

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ister Margaret Smyth is a diminutive, white haired woman with dancing eyes who looks every inch a beloved nun who’s revered by scores whose lives she’s touched with her dedication to the downtrodden.

But the stories she tells — about teaching in a classroom with gunshots fired outside, of hiding under mattresses in a truck in the Dominican Republic after a coup, as she fled to the countryside with bullets raining around her — are conveyed with the strength of a gutsy woman fearless in her conviction to do whatever it takes to help the unfortunate overcome obstacles and challenges.

“I’ve led a very unusual life,” Sister Smyth said.

Smyth, 73, who runs the North Fork Spanish Apostolate, with offices in Riverhead and Greenport, works tirelessly to help the area’s swelling immigrant population with issues ranging from employment assistance, inadequate housing, education, unpaid wages, health issues, abuse in the workplace, and even the most basic tasks, such as guidance with applications and school forms.

Over the 16 years that she has been based on the East End — living at the Sacred Heart Convent in Cutchogue — Smyth has provided comprehensive services addressing the needs of immigrants, both legal and undocumented.

Smyth serves as the lifeline for the local Latino community, working toward grant funding for a mobile health van and on other assistance programs.

She can be seen in the woods and on the beaches of the East End, bringing food and help to the growing homeless population.

“It’s not just the Hispanic community,” she said. “We help anyone that walks through my doors. ... If you can help a person’s life,  in whatever way — it can be a simple thing, a piece of advice, or a really big thing, in some cases — it’s great, because you feel like you’ve had a little piece of shaping their future.”

Smyth has faced her own personal challenges along the way — including a battle with cancer about nine years ago.

“I’m fine now,” she said. “I’m too tough to go.”

Born to Irish immigrant parents in Woodside, Queens, Smyth was surrounded by a religious family, including a priest and nuns. Throughout high school, her life’s mission became clear as she took a ferry on the weekends to wheel hospital patients to church on Sunday mornings.

She entered the convent at 17 years old. And 56 years later, Smyth has never looked back.

Beginning her career as an elementary school teacher, the computer-savvy Smyth stays in touch with many of her former students through Facebook.

Later, as an associate pastor of a parish in East New York, Brooklyn, Smyth persevered despite the tough neighborhood. “Someone shot a guy through the head outside my classroom while I was teaching,” she said.

Despite the harrowing incidents, Smyth said teaching offered great fulfillment. Teaching a “Great Books,” series, the nun, who once thought of being an actress, used drama and theatrics to engage her students — some of whom have told her she instilled their future love of reading.

Her Riverhead office is filled with young Latino mothers and babies, men looking for work, all manner of individuals seeking solace and advice, who line up early and fill Smyth’s days.

Smyth thrives on diversity and touches lives in every demographic corner. The Turkish men at her gas station call her “our sister,” and pump her gas.

“I have no idea if they are Christian or Muslim,” she said. “It doesn’t matter — we bond over humanity.”

Recently, Smyth received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Suffolk County Commission of Human Rights. “It was very humbling,” Smyth said of the honor.

But others are not so modest in singing her praises. “She is the unspoken mayor of the North and South forks,” said volunteer Ellen Davis. “Her work is indescribable.”

Juanita Torres, who works with Smyth, added, “Any problem, she will solve it. She’s amazing.”

And, said Louis Valenzuala, who serves on the Suffolk County Commission, “Her actions are filled with caring. This lifetime achievement recognition, which is not bestowed on too many, indicates the type of person she is. The work that she does has an impact not only on individuals, but on our society.”

As for Smyth, she waves off the accolades modestly as she turns to the growing line of needy forming outside her door. Those she help give her gifts of the heart — inviting her to parties and dinners and bringing her presents from their homelands.

It’s the reciprocal love she shares with those whose lives she’s touched that keeps Smyth on course. “I have no intention of stopping soon,” she said. “I’m in good shape — and it certainly keeps me active.”

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