1933 – 2024
Born: 19th May 1933
Entered: 3rd February 1958
Died: 4th April 2024
Sister Kathleen Kelly was born in West Cork on the 19th May 1933 to Maurice and Annie Kelly. She was one of ten children of which two predeceased her. She was very close to her family and was in regular contact with them and she was greatly loved by her Nieces and Nephews.
She entered the Religious Sister of Charity on the 3rd February and was received as a novice on the 19th August 1958 and was professed 23rd August 1960.
Sister Kathleen’s early years was spent in St. Vincent’s Cork where she took care of the residents. She then moved to Mountjoy Street as ministress for three years and then to Gardiner Street where she spent two years in Parish Ministry.
In 1985 Sister Kathleen began her Ministry as Parish Sister in Finglas West Parish. This was a ministry she excelled in. In the spirit of our foundress Mary Aikenhead, Kathleen responded to the needs of the people with prayer, courage and creativity.
Visitation of the homes was very important as the families needed a lot of support and encouragement the most over- riding problem was unemployment.
Kathleen possessed a strong spirit, had great compassion on those who were suffering and was determined to find ways of helping them.
In order to help the people in the area she set up a variety of courses – Home management, budgeting, cookery, personal development and Faith sharing. Meals on Wheels for the elderly started in 1986. A group was also organised to visit homes weekly to help mothers in need.
In the spirit of our foundress Mary Aikenhead, she touched the lives of many people by reaching out to those in most need. Her compassion and kindness are remembered fondly by the people in Finglas. After her death a special Mass was held for her by the parish in Finglas and a variety of photographs were displayed showing her many achievements.
As her health began to fail Kathleen moved to Marian House Nursing Home in March 2023 where she received great care and was loved by all the staff.
After a long illness Kathleen died in the Mater hospital on the 4th April 2024. Her Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church Donnybrook. She is buried in Cahermore Cemetery Co. Cork.
May she rest in peace
