Cavanagh, Sr. M. Gerard

Cavanagh, Sr. M. Gerard

Sr. M. Gerard CavanaghNationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 108
D.O.B. 11.07.1903
First Profession: 08.09.1946
Died: 16.09.1983 Aged: 80 years

Sr. M. Gerard, baptised Anne, of Athenry, Co. Galway, entered at Rosemount on 7 October 1943.  A trained psychiatric nurse when she entered, Sr. Gerard’s talents were employed over the years, mainly in the role of infirmarian, not only in MMM houses in Ireland but also in the early days, to the seminarians in St. Patrick’s College, Kiltegan and in Humewood.

Sr. Gerard was a disciplinarian who expected one to do all necessary to keep well. One story goes that when Fr. Leo O’Sullivan, SPS, was a student he reported one morning to the infirmarian that he had a bad head cold. Upon being asked when this began – to be on the safe side knowing what the reaction would be – he said, ‘Just as I came up the stairs’! However, when one was really ill, her care and concern could not be questioned.

She was assistant novice mistress from 1949 – 50. She later relieved for short periods in Clonmel and in Rosemount on the Sale of Work. In her final years she helped in the stamp department.

Sr. Gerard died in Drogheda on 16 September 1983 and is buried there in the MMM plot.

 



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