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!’
Sister Philomena was born Bridget Philomena Rooney in Banbridge, Co. Down in 1927. She was one of a family of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. She was Phil to most MMMs and Auntie Mena to her nieces and nephews.
Phil was from a farming community. When she was only about six years old, her father went into hospital for removal of his appendix and died on the operating table. She got the news in school, overhearing a neighbour telling the teacher what had happened. Phil helped out at home for a number of years before joining MMM. She got a scholarship for further education but gave it up when an older sister who was supporting her mother on the farm got married.
Sister Berchmans was born Nora Christina Roche in Killorglin, Co. Kerry in 1922. She received her early education there and in Arklow. She trained as a pharmacist in Dublin and joined the Medical Missionaries of Mary soon after qualifying. That was in 1945, when the Congregation was only eight years old.
Sister Jacinta was born Teresa Roche in Oulart, Wexford in 1938, the seventh child in a family of twelve, six boys and six girls. She grew up on a farm and developed a strong work ethic from an early age. After her early education in Enniscorthy and Ferrybank and helping with housekeeping at home, she joined MMM in 1957. After profession she trained as a nurse-midwife in Drogheda.
