1929-2025
Born: 4th October 1929
Entered Religious Life: 3rd October 1949
Died: 8th July 2025
Mary Teresa Savage, daughter of Patrick and May Savage, Bray, Co Wicklow, was born on October 4th, 1929. She entered the Religious Sisters of Charity in Milltown on October 3rd, 1949, and made her First Profession on 23rd April 1952.
After her profession Mary spent four years ministering in several convents here in Ireland including Cork, Dublin, Ballaghaderreen and Benada. In 1957 she went to Zambia and spent her first six months learning the Nyanja language. In all, Mary spent 36 years in ministry in Zambia and there are countless stories of her outstanding work there especially in the Refugee camp in Meheba and her prison work in Kabwata. Mary gave herself unstintingly to the women she visited in prison, and she demanded of the Government that they provide proper conditions for the women who had children. She spent hours in the prison sitting with the women and listening to their stories. She would often be seen walking around surrounded by vulnerable women which caused one of the Sisters to say Mary reminded her of the Good Shepherd! Mary’s fluency in the language was a great asset and this enabled her to be more effective in her efforts to make life better for the poor. She even went to the law courts to fight for the rights of the women.
In 1974 Mary took a well-earned Sabbatical in Ireland and following this she was missioned to Seville Place to do Pastoral/Social Work. She and a Sacred Heart Sister were founding members of the North Wall Women’s Centre which still exists today offering many valuable courses to hundreds of women. After eleven years in Seville Place, Mary spent over two years in Basin Lane as a Pastoral worker and a member of the Parish Team. She then returned to Zambia for a further 18 years.
Mary was an utterly selfless woman. She never complained even when she had good reason to. She also had a smile for everyone she met. Mary had a very deep spirit of prayer and a great love for the Blessed Eucharist. She appeared to look on absolutely everything as a gift from God. She would always bless herself reverently before drinking even a glass of water.
Mary loved to read and the daily newspaper was a must. When she lived in St Monica’s she would cut out photos of sad situations from the newspaper and post them on the back of her door to remind herself to pray for them. A question always on her lips was, “Are there any vocations?” It was priestly vocations which she was most anxious about. When she heard of ordinations taking place, she would happily clap her hands.
Mary had a very deep love for her family. During her time in Africa, she would always write regularly, and each niece and nephew would also receive a personal letter. She later continued this practice to her grand-nieces and nephews.
In 2020 Mary needed extra care so she transferred to Belmont House Nursing Home where she spent almost five very happy years. She endeared herself to all the staff and on Tuesday the 8th July when she died, many of them came into her room exclaiming how much Mary had meant to them. They said she was always interested in their families and in their well-being.
May Mary now rest in the eternal love of God.
