Sr. M. Joseph Anne Kelly, MMM, baptized Anne and fondly known within MMM as Sr. Jo Anne, was born in Grange, Armagh in 1937. She joined MMM in 1956 after finishing her secondary education.

After her initial formation period she started nurse training, but Mother Mary asked her to change to physiotherapy as there was a great need for this work in Nigeria among the leprosy patients. Sr. Jo Anne studied at University College, Dublin, and at the Mater Hospital, graduating in 1963 with her Diploma in Physiotherapy.

Ater a year’s internship in Drogheda, she travelled to Nigeria in 1965. She began ministry in Ogoja and worked there for seven years. In 1972, she was chosen to be the first Novice Directress in the newly opened Novitiate in Ibadan. She often remembered these first years as ones of intense learning for herself as well as the novices!

The rest of Sr. Jo Anne’s years in Nigeria, right up to 2011, she was involved in formation at one stage or another. For many years she was vocation directress, she accompanied the postulants when they first joined MMM and then later as a guide to the newly professed Sisters up to Final Profession. She also served in community leadership.

On her return to Ireland, she joined the Archives Department in Drogheda and took a special interest in the Mother Mary Room.
Although she had long term cardiac problems, she quietly went on with her own work.

She was known for her gentleness and kindness. There was a serenity about her, in inner calm, that sustained her in all situations.

She came from a large family, and many came to visit her often in Drogheda, which she greatly enjoyed. Her final illness was sudden in May 2026 and after her hospital stay she moved to Aras Mhuire Nursing home. She passed away peacefully on September 30th. She is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Drogheda.  May she rest in God’s peace.