SR PERPETUA DEVOTED HER LIFE TO EDUCATION
JOSEPHINE Cecilia Kilroy was born to Thomas and May Kilroy in Callan, Co Kilkenny, on March 2, 1928.
She was the fourth in a family of eleven and received her primary and post primary education from the local Sisters of Mercy. The scholarship and diligence Josie applied at that young age were among the outstanding characteristics she later demonstrated during her teaching career. Inspired by her deep faith – which was carefully nurtured in her home and influenced by the lives of the Sisters who taught her – Josie responded to the call to consecrate her life to God, as a Sister of Mercy.
She joined the Sisters of Mercy, New Ross on September 8, 1945, and having completed her novitiate training in Wexford she made her Temporary Profession in July 1948 and her Final Profession in July 1951.
After First Profession, she returned to New Ross to prepare for her studies at University College Cork.
Sr Perpetua qualified as a secondary teacher with B.A. and H.Dip. Ed. and began her teaching career in St. Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross, in 1952. The range of skills and personal values that she brought to her work in the classroom enticed students to her classes, opened their minds to learning and gave them the encouragement and ambition to do their best. In her classroom, there was no fear, no criticism, just a calm, steady pace that brought everyone along and built self-belief and self confidence in the students.
She was an outstanding teacher. Students imbibed her love of learning, valued the interest she took in them and appreciated the patience, time and effort she invested in ensuring success for each one. In 1979, Sr Perpetua successfully completed a Diploma in Remedial Education which further enhanced her teaching skills to the benefit of countless numbers of students. She spent her life doing good and serving others.
Sr Perpetua was Principal of St. Mary’s when free education was introduced. It was a particularly challenging time and coincided with the transfer of the school to new premises in need of extensive renovation and refurbishment. Her wise leadership supported staff and students while teaching and learning continued for months on a building site. Working in peace and harmony under such conditions galvanised great relationships that are characteristic of the school to this day.
After 41 years, Sr Perpetua retired from the classroom, much to the regret of students, staff and parents.
A representative of the staff, when speaking of her dedication, generosity, hospitality, selflessness and attention to detail, said of her ‘Sr Perpetua is truly a friend who gave us courage and affection, who listened to our day-to-day difficulties, our anxieties and aspirations. She has been totally unselfish in the service of our school and no words of mine can adequately do justice to her life’s work.’
Her teaching colleagues remained faithful to the end, keeping up regular contact with her. Those long-lived friendships brought her much joy. Sr Perpetua enjoyed 28 years of retirement and always remained a significant VIP in the school. She was invited and warmly welcomed to every school event. Transport was provided, courtesy of the staff.
Sr Perpetua was a woman of deep faith, of prayer and of remarkable humility. Gospel values and the spirit of Mercy were her guiding principles through life and with this mindset we can consider her work as a prayer.
God blessed her with many gifts and talents which she generously used to praise her God, to enrich the lives of others and to spread joy. Her singing harmonised beautifully with the choir at the Augustinian Church. Her embroidery was greatly valued and appreciated by friends who were the fortunate recipients. Her various ministries frequently brought her in contact with people who needed a helping hand. She was there to respond discreetly and generously, in the
true spirit of Catherine McAuley. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant…!’ Mt. 25:21
Sr Perpetua was a well-respected and highly valued member of many communities during her long life. Among these, her religious community was paramount. She contributed to building up every aspect of community life, with particular emphasis on hospitality.
No matter what the task, she was ready to help and being no stranger to manual work she was usually first in and last out!
Sr Perpetua took a particular delight in her family and was fascinated by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews with their attractive personalities. She dearly loved each one and delighted in hearing about their plans, aspirations, holidays and friends and was never slow in voicing her opinion.
At exam time, auntie Josie was their rock, interceding for them and offering help and advice. Their success was her reward! She loved nothing more than being around her family enjoying the many events that brought them together. In later years, as she browsed through the albums, photos taken on those happy days evoked cherished memories. Unfortunately, some of the gatherings were occasions of great sadness as family members were laid to rest. She grieved every death and sorely missed all her dear departed.
After her retirement in 1993, Sr Perpetua became involved in reaching out to the wider adult community of New Ross. The Adult Literacy Organiser for County Wexford at that time was a past pupil who recognised Sr Perpetua’s suitability for the work and invited her to volunteer as an Adult Literacy Tutor. She has said of Sr Perpetua: ‘Her contribution to adult literacy is highly commended and adult learners blossomed under her tutelage. She had a profound knowledge of what adult learners with literacy difficulties experience. She had a great sense of humour and enjoyed meetings, outings and day trips attended by both adult learners and tutors.’
Sr Perpetua was also a volunteer in New Ross Community Workshop, now called Cumas, New Ross. The people there valued her calm, helpful, loving presence among them. She knew their families and became their friend.
Before Christmas 2020, Sr Perpetua was hospitalised at University Hospital Waterford. Her health continued to deteriorate over what was a sad and lonely time for her, for her family and for her religious community. Eventually, she was transferred to the New Houghton Hospital, New Ross on February 25.
As she approached the end of her earthly life, restrictions were lifted to allow short visits by one family member and one community member. Her sister, Sr Mercy spent a little time with her, each day, as she grew weaker. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, March 7, 2021, in the presence of Sr Mercy, she quietly took her last breath. What a blessing for Sr Mercy to have shared that precious moment! Both had spent their lives together as Sisters of Mercy in the diocese of Ferns and it was only fitting that Sr Mercy, representing the Kilroy family and the Sisters of Mercy, should be with Sr Perpetua for the final farewell. Her community are all saddened by her loss, while rejoicing in the good she accomplished. ‘We thank God and her generous family for her 75 years of faithful service as a Sister of Mercy.’
Suaimhneas na bhflaitheas dá hanam uasal.
‘When an elder dies, a library burns down’ (African proverb).