Sr. Noreen was born in Ballyhaunis, in the west of Ireland and she had her early years at school in Kerry, the south of the country but her family finally settled in Dublin and it was here she spent most of her childhood and adolescence. After school, aged 18, she went over to England and trained as a nurse and midwife. She worked in London for two years as a theatre nurse and then went to Canada. In Canada, she nursed for two years and then worked with Air Canada as an air hostess for several years. The call to religious life must have been insistent, because in the early 1960’s she returned to Ireland, working as a secretary and receptionist in Dublin while figuring out how to answer God’s call. She was also caring for her niece and two nephews whose mother had sadly died.

Sr. Noreen joined MMM in 1965, aged 37. She brought a lot of life experience with her which stood her to good stead in the years ahead, especially when she began working with young student nurses.

After her initial religious formation, Sr. Noreen nursed for a year in Drogheda, and then went over to England and trained as a clinical teacher of nursing. On her return to the International Missionary Training Hospital (IMTH) in Drogheda, she worked as a clinical teacher for three years and then as Deputy Matron of the hospital. In 1979, she was asked to go to Nigeria for two years as a clinical teacher in one of our hospitals, Afikpo. During this time her interest in pastoral ministry developed and in the early 1980’s she went to the USA to be trained in Clinical Pastoral Education. On her return to Ireland, she worked in the Motherhouse in Drogheda, caring for our elderly and infirm Sisters. Her other passion in life was Christian Meditation Groups, based on the teachings of John Main, O.S.B. She founded many groups in Ireland and accompanied them as a spiritual director, right up to her final days.

In 1986, Sr. Noreen had a chance to go to Nigeria again, this time to work with Sr. Leonie McSweeney in the P.L.A.N. centre for natural family planning. On her return to Ireland, she spent several years in Kilmacow, near Waterford, a care home for the elderly run by MMM at the time, and in Mell community in Drogheda as bursar before finally retiring to the Motherhouse in 2011.
Her health declined over the next years and in 2022 she transferred to Aras Mhuire Nursing Home for more nursing care. She died there peacefully on the 5th of September 2026.  She is buried in Drogheda.

Sr. Noreen was soft spoken and known for her gentleness and attentiveness. She will be greatly missed.