Kenna, Sr. Fergal

Rose Gunn, born in July 1930, was the only child of Thomas O’Neil Gunn and Catherine (née Lannan) Gunn. She was born in Edinburgh but grew up in Tranent, a small town just a few miles away from the city. Her early education was local and her secondary education was in Edinburgh.

Her first contact with MMM was through the film “The Visitation” shown in her parish by Mother Reparatrice (Sr. Anne Moran MMM) which impressed Rose greatly. With the guidance of a Fr. Kenneth Lavin C.P. she finally entered MMM on 02/02/1951 when the Congregation was 14 years old.

Before joining MMM, Rose worked for a time in a local nursery school while she was discerning her vocation to religious life. After her initial religious formation, at this time known as Sr. M. Gemma Galgani, began her nursing studies. As was customary at that time, she did the first part of her nursing course in Drogheda and completed it in Jervis Street Hospital in Dublin. Then she went on to study midwifery in Drogheda.
Almost immediately after finishing her studies, Rose was assigned to Nigeria in 1959. Here she worked as a ward sister in Ikom and Anua before finally assuming the responsibility of Matron in Urua Akpan. After only four years, she was asked to return to Ireland. Mother Mary was undertaking a new project in Italy and Rose was to be one of the founding members. While she was awaiting events to unfold, she helped out with Mission Awareness in parishes in Ireland and also worked as a staff nurse in the hospital in Drogheda.

In 1964, the new venture in Rome was started. It was called Clinica Moscati and Rose was one of the ward sisters. Due to administrative concerns, MMM withdrew in 1966 and at this time Rose moved to Naples where the MMM was already staffing Clinica Mediterranea. Rose loved Italy and got on very well with the Italian culture. She spoke Italian fluently, with a Scottish accent, no doubt! Rose continued in Naples for eleven years until MMM withdrew from Italy all together.

By this time, Rose’s parents were elderly, and as an only child, she felt she had a responsibility of care. For a short period, she was able to do some renewal programmes and helped in the Motherhouse, but then spent a more extended period in Scotland, looking after her mother first, and then her father. She did manage a professional upgrading course (Health Visitor) and a short time in Lagos, Nigeria, pioneering a community Health Care Project.

Since 1987, Rose has been based in the Motherhouse in Drogheda. She was active in the Stamp Department for many years and looked after guests when they arrived. At this time she also became involved with the Focolare movement and attended many gatherings with them.
Rose was an unassuming outgoing person who was helpful to everyone. She participated fully in the Liturgy and all other activities of the house.

As her health failed, she moved to Aras Mhuire in 2020 and died peacefully there on December 30th, 2022.

Sr. Teresita, baptised Caroline Mary, was born in Beauparc, Co. Meath, in March 1926. She was educated locally and reached university entrance level before joining MMM in 1947.
After her initial religious formation, she worked in the Our Lady of Lourdes Maternity Hospital for a year before starting her studies in Dublin at the National University for a B.Sc. She trained as a biochemist and laboratory technician in both Holles Street Hospital, Dublin, and in Drogheda.

Soon after completing her studies, Sr. Teresita was assigned to Nigeria. She went to Nigeria in 1959 and only left finally in 1996. During these years in Nigeria, she worked in several hospitals, Anua, Urua Akpan, Afikpo and Ondo. When needed, especially in the stressful years following the Civil War, she combined the role of biochemist in the laboratory and in the pharmacy as well.

Sr. Teresita was a good community member. She was sharp, intelligent and could hold her own in a debate. She had a kindness which expressed itself quietly. One Sister remembers her visiting the hospital wards at night, in case there was anyone who was hungry. She would feed them.

In 1996, Sr. Teresita returned to Ireland and went to live in the MMM community in Crumlin, Dublin. She was involved in visiting the elderly and sick in the parish and was also involved in some pro-life work. In 2013 she moved to the Motherhouse in Drogheda and became an active member of the community. She helped out in the Sacristy and the Stamp Department. She also visited the more elderly in Aras Mhuire. She loved bridge, a game she learnt during her time in Nigeria and was a good player.

As her health began to fail, her care needs increased. In December 2021 she became a resident in Moorehall Lodge Nursing Home on a temporary basis, and returned to Aras Mhuire in early April 2022. Unfortunately, her health began to fail and she was called home to God in the early hours of April 22nd. She is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Sr. Mairead Carroll, born in 1931, was baptised Margaret Teresa Mary. She came from Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo where she had all of her early education in St. Louis Convent school including her Leaving Certificate in 1949. She was one of six children, but has only one living sibling, her sister, Mary.After a few years at home, she came to Dublin to study pharmacy and them worked for some years in retail pharmacies before joining MMM in 1961.

After her initial religious formation, she went to work in the International Missionary Training Hospital (IMTH) in Drogheda. But her time there was short because she was called to go to Spain for two years, to a hospital run by MMM at that time in Leon. There she did work both in the pharmacy and the medical laboratory. Unfortunately, she had to return to Ireland because of ill health.

While in Ireland, she returned again to the IMTH before heading off to Tanzania. For ten years she gave a wonderful service in our hospitals there, in Makiungu, Dareda and Namanyere. In 1981, she was asked to go to Uganda, again as the pharmacist in our hospital in Masaka.

Sadly, in 1983, due to ill health, Sr. Mairead had to leave Africa. She retrained in pastoral care and worked as a Chaplain for some years in the IMTH and later in Dublin in a social project for the Homeless, run by the Franciscans in Merchant’s Quay.

Sr. Mairead was a soft-spoken, quiet Sister with a wonderful smile. She had a lovely singing voice and took part in MMM recordings during her time in Drogheda. She was a kind person, known for her unobtrusive, gentle counsel to those in need. The work in pastoral care seemed to suit her personality well.

In 2014, Sr. Mairead returned to Drogheda because of ill health. At first, she was in Aras Mhuire following a fall, but then became part of the Motherhouse community. In 2017, she returned to Aras Mhuire for extra nursing care and died in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on February 9th, 2022. She is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Sister Patricia was born in Dunboyne, Co. Meath in February 1933. She had her early education locally and then went on to study in Dublin in book-keeping and secretarial skills. She entered MMM in 1958. Even during her initial religious formation, Sister Patricia was already working in the I.M.T.H. (Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital) in Stores and later in administration. Soon after her First Profession, she switched over to the Lourdes Maternity Hospital where she worked as a medical secretary and in charge of records.

Sr. Patricia was a good administrator and remained in this role in the Maternity Hospital for over seven years. During the time of the Extraordinary General Chapter (1969-70) she was relieved of her role in the hospital to work with the Central Preparatory Commission for the upcoming Chapter. She did some early work in compiling Mother Mary’s letters and early drafts of the Constitutions.For two years after this Chapter, she went to Airmount Hospital in Waterford, again as Administrator.

It was in 1971 that Sr. Patricia finally achieved her desire for an overseas mission. She went to Kabanga and over the next almost thirty years spent time in Kabanga, Namanyere and Dareda as Hospital Administrator. She did not have good health at times, and needed some time at home on sick leave. She also spent some time in Ireland caring for her elderly mother.
Sr. Patricia was known for her kindness and gentleness. She had very high principles and was most reliable. She was thorough and noted for her attention to detail. In some ways she was strict, but the Staff appreciated her as they knew she was just and fair in all her dealings with them. She was always attentive when approached for help and was compassionate to those in need. She had a good sense of humour and was full of fun and loved to relax with Sisters. She bore her periods of ill health with fortitude. She also enjoyed being a part of the local parish wherever she lived.

In December 2000, Sr. Patricia was involved in a traffic accident which was serious enough to cause her farewell to Tanzania and her return to Ireland. After a year of recovery, she undertook secretarial duties in the Motherhouse and, over time, became Sacristan as well. As her health deteriorated, she finally retired in 2019 and went to live in Aras Mhuire Nursing Home for the nursing care she needed. She died peacefully there on February 27th, 2022. She is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Sr. Breege Breslin, baptised Brigid, was born in Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland on May 3rd, 1931. She was the seventh child in a family of twelve children, six boys and six girls. All her brothers and sisters pre-deceased her with the exception if one brother, Joe.

Brigid was educated locally in Ballina, first in the local National School and then in the Mercy Convent School for secondary level education. When she was eighteen, she moved to Dublin and found employment in the General Post Office. She had two brothers also working in Dublin at that time, so she had family nearby. She enjoyed life in the city and was a sociable, out-going person, but the idea of a religious vocation was at the back of her mind.
Brigid joined MMM in March 1955. By this stage her older sister, Mary (Sr. Gemma), was already in MMM but Breege always insisted, “Gemma being in MMM had nothing to do with my joining the Congregation”.

After her initial formation period, Sr. Breege trained as a nurse in Drogheda. For some years she continued on in the Hospital in the operating theatre. Here she used her wisdom and gentleness in passing on her skills to other young people in training. In 1966 she did her midwifery training and in January 1968 she went to Kenya, to Kakuma hospital in Turkana. This was the beginning of her long-term commitment to the people of Kenya. Apart from home leave and short breaks for spiritual renewal, she spent the next thirty-eight years in Kenya. She and Sr. Patrice O’Leary set up the medical services in Turkana, much to the amazement and appreciation of the Regional Medical Officer and Regional matron, who were used to the fact that Turkana was considered to be a punishment area.

In 1994, Sr. Breege moved to Nairobi and worked in two slum areas, Mukuru and Kibera. At this time HIV/AIDS was prevalent, and she helped set up voluntary testing and counselling services as well as treatment services when they became available. During all of her time in Kenya, she worked hard, radiated joy and laughter among her patients and co-workers, and was tireless in her efforts to help people. She was an out-going person and had a great capacity for making friends.

Sr. Breege returned to Ireland in 2006 for medical reasons and became part of the Motherhouse community in Drogheda. She finally moved to Aras Mhuire Nursing Home in December 2016. Her death was peaceful on Saturday, 12th February 2022, and she is buried, with her sister Gemma, in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Drogheda.

Sister Fidelia Adigo was born in Mgboma Alike Ikananzizi, Nigeria in November 1949. She was a trained nurse-midwife with a specialty in orthopaedics, and worked as a nurse-midwife for 10 years before joining MMM in 1991. Her first assignment was to Tanzania, where she served in Kabanga. In addition to nursing duties she helped children with disabilities to access services.

In 2005, Sr. Fidelia assisted at our formation house in Nairobi before obtaining a masters in leadership and pastoral care in Dublin. She returned to Nigeria and after a short time at St. Mary’s Hospital, Urua Akpan, she was assigned to our Family Life Centre in Itam. She was matron of the VVF unit and was deeply committed to the care of women affected by obstetric fistula.

Fidelia was appointed directress of our formation house in Itam, where she guided women in their early stages of MMM life. She became ill in 2021 and was brought to Zenith Medical and Kidney Centre, Abuja. She died there peacefully on 13 June 2021. Her funeral was held in Benin City on 25 June 2021 and was live streamed so family and friends around the world could participate. Sister Fidelia is buried at our MMM cemetery there.

January 1st 1929 – December 26th 2021

Sr. M. Catherine Therese was born in Emekuku, Owerri, Nigeria on January 1st, 1929.  As a young girl, before joining MMM, she worked in St. Luke’s Hospital, Anua, as a ward orderly.  In an interview she gave at the time of her Diamond Jubilee in 2017 she reminisced:
“I admired the way the Sisters worked, took care of the pregnant women and children. What motivated me was my first experience of a case of a pregnant woman who had smallpox. Everyone was running from her, for fear of contracting the disease.  Amazingly, unafraid, the MMM admitted, treated and cared for her until she got well and went home.  I wanted to be like these Sisters“.

Sr. Catherine Therese herself was amazing and unafraid.  Immediately after her initial religious formation she came to Ireland and studied nursing and midwifery.  On her return to Nigeria, she set out on a long missionary assignment in caring for the sick and needy.  She was matron at several of our hospitals in Nigeria, Anua, Afikpo and Ibadan.  Even in retirement she was still active in the community and interested in everything.  She had a special fondness for the young MMM Sisters in formation.  She enjoyed life right up to the end.  On Christmas Day, 2021, she enjoyed watching the festive dancing.  The next day, she became unwell and died peacefully in the afternoon of December 26th.

She was buried in the MMM plot in Benin City on January 21st, 2022.

Sr. Patricia O’Kane, known in the family as Phyllis, was born in Belfast in Northern Ireland and attended her local Catholic primary school. She was employed locally in a factory before she joined MMM in 1956, aged 21. She came from a family of six, four brothers, Paul, Gabriel, Maurice (R.I.P.) and Fergus, and she had one sister, Colette, who married and went to live in New Zealand.

After her initial religious formation, Patricia went to the IMTH Hospital in Drogheda (now known as Our Lady of Lourdes) and helped with general duties on the wards. In 1963, she was asked to go to the Apostolic Delegation in London. This is the house where the representative of the Vatican State lives. She stayed in England for six years and then returned to Drogheda and worked in the Guest Department. Before she left England, she trained in London as a State Enrolled Nurse (S.E.N.)

In 1972, she had the privilege of caring for Mother Mary Martin, our Foundress, for two years, in the later stages of her illness. Mother Mary died soon after this in 1975. Patricia then had her first overseas assignment to Abakaliki, Nigeria where she cared for the patients suffering from Hansen’s disease, formerly known as Leprosy. She was happy there and loved the patients, helping them overcome the disabilities caused by the illness.
On completion of her time in Nigeria, she was assigned to Kilmacow, a residential home for elderly people, on the borders of Kilkenny and Waterford. She worked there for over three years and from there she went to the Czech Republic for 18 months, working with Sr. Bibi MMM, one of our Czechoslovakian Sisters.

In August 1998, Patricia became the MMM representative on the Drogheda-based Ladies Committee, a wonderful and dedicated group of women who promoted fund-raising activities for MMM. She was with them for over a decade until the group disbanded because of advancing years.

In all her ministries, Sr. Patricia was known for her welcoming and joyful attitude and her deep care for all whom she met. While she was in Prague, she met Anne Marie Kenny Bull who later became one of our first MMM Associates (AMMM).

After a short period of Mission Appeals in the U.S.A. in 2007, Patricia finally retired to the Motherhouse where she helped with driving, shopping for Sisters, writing letters and other services in our Nursing Home, Áras Mhuire. However, her health began to deteriorate gradually, and she eventually was transferred to Áras Mhuire as a resident in January 2019. During the early months of 2022, her health began to weaken further, and she died on 10 October 2022. She is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery.

Sr. Majella was born in Belfast on 31st July, 1921, but grew up in Dundalk from the age of one when her family moved there.  She attended the local primary school and later went to nearby Carrickmacross for her secondary education.
When she entered MMM in 1946, she was already a qualified Pharmacist.  The Congregation was still in its infancy, just seven years old, and great expansion was taking place with new communities, health care initiatives and recruitment of new members in different countries of the world.

Majella was not only an excellent Pharmacist but was highly gifted in many ways, as the saying goes “she could put her hand to anything”.   As a young Sister she was remembered among other things for making stuffed toys of all sorts, beautiful rabbits, cuddly teddy bears and baby dolls which were sold at our annual Dublin Sale of Work. These were very popular with young children and sold well.

She has had an exciting and varied life.  Her first assignment after Profession was to Anua, Nigeria, an already established hospital where she built up the pharmaceutical department. Unfortunately she became ill there and had to return to Ireland prematurely.  One day, while working in the hospital pharmacy, she met our Foundress, Mother Mary Martin, who was showing visitors around the hospital.  Mother smiled at her and said that she had “a lovely job for her in a lovely climate.”  It turned out to be Angola, or Portuguese West Africa as it was known in colonial times.  In 1953, she and another Sister were the first to go there, to a remote area in the south of the country, called Chiulo, to provide much needed health care.  This was at the invitation of Irish-born Fr. Bernard Keane C.S.Sp who was working there for a number of years and was distraught at the poor facilities.  He persuaded Mother Mary to send Sisters there and had already built a small mud hospital and a Sisters’ house in anticipation of their arrival.

Sr. Majella set up the Pharmacy and the Laboratory while learning Portuguese and the native language at the same time.  She did trojan work for ten years in the country, developing both the Pharmacy and Laboratory and training girls and boys in the skills necessary.  She also helped in many different ways to develop the compound.  From there she was assigned back to Nigeria, to Eleta, Ibadan, again a busy, fast-growing hospital where the needs were huge.  Sr. Majella thrived on it all, running an efficient service and always training young recruits in the intricacies of Pharmacy.

Her next appointment was back to Ireland as Senior Pharmacist in the I.M.T.H. (now Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital) for 12 years.  In between times she did Promotion Work in Ireland, visiting parishes and schools, seeking help for the great MMM work that was underway.  She was the editor of the MMM Magazine for two years, producing it on a monthly basis and keeping our readers up to date on the growth of the Congregation throughout the world.  The magazine also encouraged young people to consider their vocations and also invited material support to help us in our endeavours.

Sr. Majella retired ‘officially’ in 1990, but this did not mean that she stopped work.  She was in charge of the Stamp Department in the Motherhouse for ten years, an important area of the Congregation where used stamps are received and prepared for sale to interested Philatelists.  The money acquired from this work is used with great effect to fund the many small projects being carried out by our Sisters throughout the world.  The Stamp Department continues to be a valuable source of income right up to the present day.  During this time also, there was an emergency call for a Pharmacist in war-torn Liberia and Majella answered the call and spent two happy but challenging years there.

She was always interested in gardening and during this time of retirement set up a greenhouse in one area of the Motherhouse where she grew all kinds of flowers and vegetables including a vine which produced edible grapes.  She was a talented woman, an artist in her own right with beautiful paintings to her credit which she gave as gifts to friends and contacts.

Gradually her health deteriorated and in 2011 she transferred to Áras Mhuire to avail of the wonderful care there.  She celebrated her 100th birthday last year and she equally enjoyed her 101st birthday just a few weeks before she died.  Gradually her health disimproved and on 22nd September 2022, she died peacefully. Her funeral was on 26th September, and she is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Drogheda.