Sister Marie’s sudden death on 13 June 2011 brought great shock and sorrow to all who knew her. She had been living in Waterford since 1991, and since 2002 had been working with the Waterford Immigration Network.
Born in Dublin in 1921, Marie was educated at Loreto College, St. Stephen’s Green, and had qualified as a secretary and worked for five years before joining MMM in 1953. She later gained commercial teaching diplomas at the well-known Caffrey’s College in Dublin.
Sister Augustine Sheridan was born in Navan, Ireland in April 1927. She was baptized Margaret Esther but was always known as Gretta in the family. She was one of a family of five children: two boys and three girls. Her early education was in the local national school and then she had two successive jobs. The first was as a housekeeper to the local parish priest and then she cared for an uncle who was ill and living alone.
Sister Karen was born Elizabeth Shearer in Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland in 1930. Her father was employed by the owners of a castle, so she often joked that she was born in a castle. She worked in textile making for twenty years before joining the Medical Missionaries of Mary in 1965. After profession she trained in social science and was meant to start nursing training. However, at the last minute she was sent to work in the Apostolic delegation in London, where she spent ten years.
Sister Anne Sharratt was born in Gosforth, Newcastle on Tyne, England, in 1935, the second eldest in a family of ten, seven boys and three girls. Three of her brothers have predeceased her. Anne’s first encounter with MMM was at a vocation display in Glasgow, Scotland, that she attended with her parents. She may have met Mother Mary there. The Sharratts were impressed by MMM’s approach to religious life, with simple dress and – very important – they rode bicycles!
Sister Attracta was born Bridget Scanlon in Gurteen, Co. Sligo, in 1919. She had a twin brother, John, who died a few years before her. Attracta joined the Medical Missionaries of Mary in 1940. After profession she trained as a midwife. She worked in the maternity hospital in Drogheda until 1952, when she was assigned to the Clinica Mediterranea in Naples, Italy. For twenty-five happy years she was sister-in-charge of the labour ward and maternity floor and delivered thousands of babies. She was an excellent midwife, had high standards and ensured they were maintained by the staff. Someone who knew her said that very often the consultant gynaecologist would send for Attracta when there was a difficult case. Her warm and cheerful disposition endeared her to all.
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 131
D.O.B. 15.12.1926
First Profession: 02.07.1947
Died: 01.06.1988 Aged: 62 years
Bridie, from Drumcollogher, Co. Limerick, entered MMM in Drogheda on 24 October 1944. She was a gifted homemaker and organiser.
After profession, she ministered for a year in St. Patrick’s, Kiltegan, and then for another year as sister-in-Charge in Rosemount. She was then assigned to the Apostolic nunciature in Dublin where she worked from 1950 to 1953 before returning to Drogheda to do her midwifery training.
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 121
D.O.B. 20.04.1909
First Profession: 06.01.1947
Died: 05.05.1997 Aged: 87 years
Emily Florence, from Longford, had worked as a health visitor before entering MMM on 16 June 1944.
One of the first Medical Missionaries of Mary from Tanzania, Sister Theresia was born in Dareda in 1937. She received her early education there and trained as a teacher before joining MMM in Ireland in 1959. After profession she trained in general nursing and midwifery in Drogheda, Ireland.
Sister Vincent was born Mary Ryan in Dublin in 1924. After completing her secondary education and matriculation, she joined MMM in 1943. After profession she trained as a registered general nurse in the IMTH in Drogheda and in the Mater Hospital in Dublin, graduating in 1952. She then completed her training as a midwife in Drogheda.
Nationality: Irish
Congregational Register No: 75
D.O.B. 19.12.1901
First Profession: 06.01.1945
Died: 26.02.1983 Aged: 81 years
‘Splendid’ was her nickname and splendid she was. The name came from her own often repeated response: ‘Splendid, splendid!’
