Sister Rita was born Margaret Hand in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan in 1935 and grew up near Dowth, Co. Meath. She completed her early education in Dublin and Drogheda and joined the Medical Missionaries of Mary in 1953.
After profession she trained as a nurse-midwife in Drogheda. Her first assignment was to Angola (formerly Portuguese West Africa) and she spent a few months en route in Lisbon, Portugal to learn Portuguese.
Sister Muredach was born Sheila Hallinan in Knockroe, Castleconnor, Co. Mayo in 1927. One of a family of eleven, she received her early education in Sligo and trained in shorthand and typing in Ballina, Co. Mayo. She worked as a clerk-typist for Mayo Vocational Education Committee for several years and was the personal secretary to the principal. She joined the Medical Missionaries of Mary in 1950.
Nationality: American
Congregational Register: 542
D.O.B. 04.08.1916
First Profession: 17.03.1961
Died: 25.10.1988 Aged: 72 years
Sr. Ann Regis (Agnes) came from Belmont, Massachusetts, USA, and entered MMM at Winchester, Massachusetts on 12 September 1958.
On Monday, 3 January 2011, Sister Josephine Grealy slipped away to heaven without a fuss. Her sudden passing during her sleep was a great shock for the community at the Motherhouse of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, and for her loving sisters and brothers. During her long years of missionary service she certainly experienced the ‘extraordinary adventure’ that anyone joining the Medical Missionaries of Mary can expect.
Sister Florrie (formerly Dolorosa) Goold was born Florence Goold in Glasnevin, Dublin in 1928. Her father worked in the Land Commission, which involved a lot of travelling. When he was away, Florrie’s grandmother helped to care for the family of three boys and four girls. This created a great lifelong bond among them all. Florrie attended a local primary school and then went to the Saint Louis School in Monaghan for her secondary education. She joined MMM in 1947.
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 30
D.O.B. 21.12.1908
First Profession: 08.09.1942
Died: 08.05.2000 Aged: 91 years
Chrissie Gogan from Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, came in contact with MMM when Mother Mary’s car got a puncture driving through Dunshaughlin. While the wheel was being changed, the Gogan family kindly invited Mother into their home for a cup of tea – and the rest is history!
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 139
D.O.B. 24.06.1919
First Profession: 09.09.1948
Died: 03.05.1978 Aged: 58 years
Sr. Martha, baptised Margaret, was a sister of our first MMM to be called to new life, Sr. M. Aquinas Glennon.
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 139
D.O.B: 04.11.1920
First Profession: 08.09.1943
Died: 24.04.1947 Aged: 26 Years
Kathleen, who came from Kilrickle, Loughrea, Co. Galway, entered MMM on 31 October 1940. She arrived at Drogheda with Mother Mary, who had driven her from Kilrickle, and to the amusement of all, a goose that had been given to her as a going away present!
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 349
D.O.B. 08.05.1916
First Profession: 02.07.1956
Died: 27.09.1999 Aged: 83 years
Maria, from Newry, Co. Down, entered MMM on 31 May 1953, as a highly qualified nurse/midwife. Consequently, her first overseas mission assignment came shortly after her first profession. She was midwifery sister and matron in Anua, Nigeria, from 1956 to 1961, where she gave herself generously to the work.
Sister Bernadette was born in Dublin in 1933. She learned about MMM from her parents, who were great supporters of Mother Mary Martin in the early years of the Congregation. Bernadette joined MMM in 1952. After profession she helped in Drogheda, Clonmel, and in the Apostolic Nunciature in Ireland, mainly in catering.
In 1962 she was assigned to Kenya, at a time of great famine in the Turkana area.
