Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 309
D.O.B. 25.05.1932
First Profession: 01.06.1954
Died: 08.10.1989 Aged: 57 years
Remembrance of Ena, from Geevagh, Co. Sligo, brings lots of smiles. She always appeared to be such a happy and fun-loving person, even in her last years of illness.

She entered MMM in October 1951 and after profession did her general nurse training in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.

In 1960, she was assigned to Nigeria, where she ministered in Anua for some years, first as theatre sister and then as Sister-in-charge. Her time there came to an end when she was inspecting some building renovations and fell through the ceiling of the oratory. She suffered a spinal fracture and was flown home to Ireland.

After her recovery, in 1968 she was assigned to Ibadan, Nigeria for one year. She then moved to Obudu as matron for three years. After two study periods of midwifery in England, she returned to Obudu for a further four years.

From 1977 to 1983 she was regional superior for Ireland/England and then directress for the experimental intercultural community year for temporary professed Sisters at Mill Hill in London. She was then re-assigned to Nigeria, where she spent two years as community health sister in Amukoko, Lagos.

Her last two years, from 1987 until her death in 1989, were spent in Ireland, mostly in Rosemount before it became the MMM Generalate. She had many months of patiently-borne suffering, in and out of hospital, eventually with a hospice care team visiting in Rosemount. Her great sense of humour shone through all and helped brighten life for those who cared for her.

Sr. Laurena died in Rosemount and is buried in Drogheda.