Sister Mairead was born in Belfast in 1920. She trained in massage and medical gymnastics in England. She then trained as a physiotherapist in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast before joining the Medical Missionaries of Mary in 1947. She took the name Cor Marie, but returned to her own name in the 1970s.

Mairead helped to set up the physiotherapy departments in the early years of both the general and maternity hospitals in Drogheda. She also worked as a physiotherapist in those hospitals for several years and helped with psychoprophylaxis in the maternity hospital. Though she was unable to go overseas because of poor health, she participated enthusiastically in support of the missions overseas with her work in charge of the mite boxes.

Sister Mairead had a great love of music and shared her lovely singing voice. When collecting the mite boxes from shops and pubs, she entertained the customers, chatting and singing with and for them. She enjoyed musical events and was a member of the choir in Drogheda and of the Tradagh Singers. She spent a day at the Drogheda Community Centre each week and looked forward to this opportunity to socialize and sing.

She transferred from the Motherhouse to Áras Mhuire in 2008. Still active in support of our MMM missions overseas, she trimmed stamps to help the stamp department. Each day, Sisters from the Motherhouse joined her in saying the Divine Office and rosary. She was close to her family and looked forward to their visits.

Sister Mairead died in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on 1 February 2014 after a short illness.