Sister Opportuna was born in Bashanet, Tanzania in 1935. She completed her early education in Tanzania and joined the Medical Missionaries of Mary in 1960.
After profession she trained as a nurse-midwife in Drogheda, Ireland and completed a nurses’ course in tropical medicine in London. Her first assignment was to Tanzania, where she first spent three years as a staff nurse in Makiungu, followed by two years as matron. After training in nursing education Sister Opportuna was a nursing tutor in Kabanga Hospital for twelve years.

In 1990 she was assigned to Angola. She was nursing tutor for ten years in Chiulo and during that time was in MMM leadership for three years. In 2000 she moved to a new mission in Huambo, where she did clinic and vocation work, and was also postulant directress. She then served for three more years in MMM leadership.  At the end of 2004 she returned to clinic work. In 2007 Opportuna was again involved in opening a new mission in Viana, Luanda.

Sister Opportuna returned to Tanzania in 2008, when ill health necessitated her retirement from active ministry. She continued to help in the MMM community in Arusha. During her illness she inspired those who came to visit and loved to see other MMMs, her family, and friends. Her brother, Father Victor, celebrated Mass in her room on the day she died: 4 February 2014.