Sr Vincent will be remembered as a kind, gentle and caring person
ON Wednesday morning, May 30, the Sisters of St John of God, at Sallyville House, Newtown Road, Wexford, were deeply saddened on learning the news that Sr. Vincent O’Leary had passed away very peacefully during the night.
While Sr. Vincent’s health had been gradually deteriorating over the past couple of years her death was most unexpected and came as a great shock to her community and her family.
Sr. Vincent was born Catherine Mary (Kate) O’Leary and was one of six children born to Ellen and Murt O’Leary, Fahamore, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry.
She had two brothers, both of whom pre-deceased her, and three sisters. One of her sisters, Irene, was a nun in Texas and also pre-deceased her.
At the age of 20, in response to God’s call, Catherine left her home and family in Maharees and made her way by train, accompanied by her father, to the St John of God Novitiate in Wexford, where she was professed in August 1949.
Following profession, Sr Vincent ministered in various houses of the congregation in Ireland and also in Cardiff and Torquay in the UK.
She also spent three years ministering at the Propaganda Fide Office in Rome before returning to Wexford in 1972.
Twenty-four of the past 46 years were spent at St. John of God Retreat Centre, Ballyvaloo, where she was dearly loved and greatly appreciated by all who frequented it. She retired to the convent in Newtown Road in 2005.
Sr. Vincent was a very kind, gentle, and caring person who always greeted people with a warm, welcoming smile.
Her main ministry was in catering and she was particularly mindful of and sensitive to the needs of others. She was a very competent cook and kitchen supervisor and is remembered fondly for hosting many special occasions.
Sisters have spoken many times about her beautiful brown bread, tarts and coffee cakes. Always active, during her retirement she loved to knit and crochet matinee coats and other garments for the Children of Chernobyl.
In keeping with her own creativity while knitting she always enjoyed listening to Irish music.
Though Sr. Vincent left her home in Kerry many years ago she always remained very close to her family and visited them regularly in various parts of Ireland and in the U.S.
They, in turn, were extremely caring of her and obviously loved her dearly.
Sr. Vincent’s Requiem Mass, attended by family and friends, was celebrated by Very Rev. Anthony O’Connell in Sallyville House. After the mass her remains were laid to rest in the St. John of God Convent cemetery.
She is sadly missed by her St. John of God Community, her sisters Dora Clarke, Connecticut, U.S.A. and Maureen Spillane (Maharees, Co. Kerry), nieces, nephews, niece-in-law, nephews-in-law, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, great-grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews, extended family and friends.
Loved by all, may her gentle soul rest in peace.