Nationality:  Irish
Congregational Register No. 188
D.O.B.17.03.1929
First Profession 08.09.1957
Died: 29.04.2010   Aged:  81 years

Mary Patricia O’Mahony was born in Schull, West Cork, a place she would forever think of as the most beautiful in the world.  She was a brilliant student at school and achieved honours in all subjects for her leaving certificate.  She entered MMM in 1947 just ten days shy of her 18th birthday.

MMM recognized Sr. Maureen’s academic talents early on and she started studying at University College Dublin for her medical degree in 1948.  She would go on to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology, becoming a fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Sr. Maureen’s first overseas assignment was to Dareda Hospital in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) in 1955. She was the medical officer in charge. While she was in Tanzania, the British Red Cross awarded Maureen the society’s certificate of honour, badge and life membership for her sterling work in improving standards of training for the members of its Tanganyika Branch. After six years, Maureen returned to Ireland to study for her membership in obstetrics and gynaecology before returning to Tanzania in 1966 for another year at Dareda.  During 1969-70 she was consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Dareda and then Makiungu.  Maureen’s final overseas assignment was to Uganda, at Kitovu Hospital, from 1980  to1984.

Sr. Maureen suffered from ill health, which interrupted and finally curtailed her medical career.  She continued to do locum work in Ireland and the UK. She was considered to be a wonderful doctor and obstetrician by her colleagues and patients alike. Following her death, a moving tribute was received from a doctor in Uganda.  He wrote about Maureen’s medical expertise and drive, her guidance and encouragement, and her selflessness and kindness.  Sr. Maureen loved her work, especially overseas.

Back in Ireland, Sr. Maureen put her energies into the guest department and the library in Drogheda. She became an excellent librarian who could instantly put her hand on any book sought by a Sister. She was well known in the Cathedral Bookshop, which she often visited in search of up-to-date reading material.  She also visited family and friends in Schull and was able to pursue her love of the Irish language, even taking a refresher course just two years before her death.

Maureen was admitted to Áras Mhuire in 2007.  Her final years were difficult but she bore them with fortitude and was deeply grateful to the staff for their devoted care.  She went peacefully to God on 29 April 2010 following a long illness.