Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 163
D.O.B. 03.02.1922
First Profession: 17.03.1949
Died: 15.01.1993 Aged: 70 years

Baptised Mary, Sr. M. Perpetua Kelly, from Athlone, Co. Westmeath, entered MMM in Rosemount on 20 August 1946.

After profession, Sr. Perpetua worked in Rosemount, in the Apostolic nunciature and in Clonmel. In 1953 she was assigned to Killybegs, Co. Donegal, and was to remain there until 1970.

Her talents lay in the culinary arts and hospitality. A long period of her life was spent caring for Bishop McGinley, an Irish-American bishop who, owing to ill health, had to take early retirement. Bishop McGinley donated Bruac na Mara in Killybegs to MMM in return for the care he received. MMM Sisters could use Bruac na Mara for vacation, and Sr. Perpetua received all with love and attention.

As each group of holidaymakers departed, Perpetua would sprinkle them with Holy Water, and her saying ‘You were the best group ever’ has become part of the oral tradition within MMM!

After the bishop’s death, and on his expressed wishes, she accompanied his remains for burial in the Carmelite convent in Carmel-by-the-Sea in California.

She then returned to Drogheda where she always had a great welcome for all, as guest mistress.

She was a selfless worker and her humanity came through in her dealings with everyone.

Sr. Perpetua died and is buried in Drogheda.