1934-2025
Born: 21st October 1934
Entered Religious Life: 4th February 1957
Died: 12th July 2025
Mary Madeline O’Donoghue, daughter of Michael O’Donoghue and Catherine O’Donoghue (nee Hourigan) was born in Boherlody, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary on the 21st October 1934. She entered the Religious Sisters of Charity on the 4th February 1957 and was received as a novice on the 13th August 1957 taking the name Sr Joseph Brendan. She made her First Profession on the 14th August 1959.
Following her First Profession, Mary spent four years in Mountjoy Street caring for the children before moving to Hackney where she obtained a Diploma in Residential Care of Children following a course in Holy Rood House, London. She was then missioned to Walthamstow where she spent three years caring for the children before returning to Mountjoy Street for a year.
In 1968 she was missioned to Merrion and cared for the children there until 1983. She was described as a warm, dedicated and passionate mother to all the children who came into her care. She kept in contact with many of her past pupils and was always available to help them in any way she could. They too were very loyal to her and helped her in her later years. Past pupils of her sisters, Sr Kathleen and Sr Conception were among her friends too.
In 1983 Sr Mary was missioned to Donnybrook to assist with the care of the Residents, and she also looked after their dining room. She remained in Donnybrook until 2000 when she took a well-earned sabbatical.
Following her sabbatical she was missioned to Walkinstown where she helped in the Social Service Centre. She enjoyed her time in Walkinstown and would often talk about the wonderful people who lived in that area.
Prayer was essential in Sr. Mary’s life and all her friends were included in her daily prayers. She was delighted to pray for any intention but especially for those who were ill. She would later enquire to know how they were getting on.
Naturally Tipperary was her favourite place of all. The Tipperary colours festooned her room in Beechlawn, not just for matches, but all the year round.
Family was of supreme importance to Mary, she loved them without reserve and they, in their turn, showed her love and kindness in abundance.
In her latter years, Mary’s health declined to the extent that she needed extra nursing care and she moved to Loyola Nursing Home in Merrion. Following the closure of Merrion in 2020 she transferred to Beechlawn Nursing Home. She was blessed to have been content and happy in both places.
Sr Mary died peacefully in Beechlawn Nursing Home on the 12th of July 2025. Her funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook on the 17th July and she is buried in the community cemetery in Donnybrook.
When asked ‘how she would sum up Mary’s life’, a relative answered without hesitation ‘she was a champion for the downtrodden’.
May she rest in peace.
