Community is saddened by Sr Euphrasia’s passing
THERE WAS great sadness experienced in Wexford town recently with the news that Sr Euphrasia Cadogan SSJG, had passed away.
Originally from Newbawn, Sr Euphrasia died peacefully in the care of the staff at Sallyville House, Newtown Road, Wexford, on Monday, April 30. In her 98th year, her return to God came rather suddenly, following a short illness.
Sr Euphrasia was born Margaret Cadogan in Chicago, U.S.A. She was the second daughter of Joseph and Margaret Cadogan and shortly after her birth the young family returned to Ireland and set up a drapery and grocery business in Newbawn.
Margaret, or Peg as she was more affectionately called by friends and family, attended national school in Newbawn and went on to complete her secondary education in St. Mary’s Secondary School.
In 1938, she and a friend set sail for the St John of God Novitiate in Perth, Western Australia. That friend who travelled with her, Sr Killian Stafford, still lives in the community there.
Sr Euphrasia was professed in May 1941 and ministered in Perth and Goulburn, before returning to Ireland in 1947. Upon her return she taught at the congregation’s Juniorate in Ballinamore, County Mayo.
When the Juniorate closed, Sr Euphrasia did Irish teacher training at Edenderry, Rathdowney, before transferring to Kilkenny in 1964.
She remained there until her retirement in 1986.
However, retirement was not in Sr Euphrasia’s thinking and having been involved voluntarily in the Kilkenny branch of the IWA since 1965, she then threw herself whole-heartedly into working and fundraising for the organisation. She was a great support for everyone involved in the establishment of Claddagh Court in Kilkenny and she continued her work with the IWA until her health deteriorated a few years ago.
Sr Euphrasia was a woman of strong beliefs and convictions. She was very practical and caring in nature and was always concerned for those who were coping with life’s many challenges. Always a person to put other people before herself she was generous in giving her time and never considered her own comfort.
One of her fellow sisters in the St John of God order in Wexford commented: ‘This was particularly evident in her final years when her simple living was an inspiration to all who knew her.’
A gifted seamstress she provided costumes for school shows when she was teaching.
Sr Euphrasia’s Requiem Mass, attended by family and friends, was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Kilkenny. The Chief Celebrant was the Very Reverend Roderick Whearty, assisted by Very Reverend Liam Barron, PP, Mullinavat. Following the mass Sr Euphrasia’s remains were laid to rest in Foulkstown Cemetery.
She is sadly missed by her nieces, Peg, Pat and Mary, her nephews, Joe and Maurice and their families, and her many friends.
May she rest in God’s eternal peace.