- Born: July 07, 1927
- Died: November 24, 2021
- Profession Date: August 27, 1951
- Province: South Central
Name:
Catherine Galvin
Religious Name:
Sr. Patricia Galvin
Parents:
Garrett and Mary Ann (nee Finucane)
Native Place:
Duagh, Co Kerry
Date of Birth:
7th July, 1927
Entry Into Religious Life:
23rd September, 1948
Convent of Entry:
Westbourne, Co Limerick
First Profession:
27th August, 1952
Date of Death:
24th November, 2021
Place of Death:
Catherine McAuley House, Limerick
Interred:
St. Mary’s Convent Cemetery, Limerick
Sr. Patricia Galvin died peacefully on November 24th, 2021 in the loving care of the Sisters, staff and residents of Catherine McAuley Nursing Home, Bishop Street, Limerick.
She was born on 7th July, 1927 in Kilmorna, Duagh, Co Kerry, to Garrett Galvin and Mary Anne Finucane, one of five children, three girls and two boys. She is predeceased by her brother Dan and her sister-in-law, Eileen RIP. At her baptism she received the name Catherine, and was called Kitty. She received her primary education in Duagh before attending Coláiste Mhuire Secondary School in Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick. She joined the Sisters of Mercy in Westbourne on 23rd September, 1948. The three girls of the family, Kitty, Mary and Joan joined the Sisters of Mercy on the same day, Kitty and Mary in Limerick and Joan in Kanturk, Co Cork. One can only imagine what this meant for their parents and brothers. Patricia made Temporary Vows on August 27th, 1951 and her Final Profession was on August 27th, 1954.
Having completed Primary Teacher Training in Mary Immaculate College in 1958, Patricia taught in St. Munchin’s Girls’ School, Ballynanty, St. Mary’s and Mount St. Vincent’s, all in Limerick City.
In 1965 she ‘went into the west,’ joined the community at Rathkeale and taught in St. Anne’s Primary School for twenty-eight years. She was Principal there for several years.
Following retirement from teaching 1993, Patricia availed of a sabbatical year in Mater Dei College, Dublin where she studied theology and spirituality. She had a knowledge of and interest in scripture, a gift she shared generously, particularly when she initiated prayer meetings in Rathkeale which were much appreciated. She was also a member of the Parish Council and served on the Board of Management of the primary school. She was a faithful writer of the Community Annals. In 2000 when the Sisters were celebrating 150 years of their presence in Rathkeale, Patricia researched and presented in booklet form the very interesting story of the arrival of the first Sisters in 1850 along with their subsequent ministries in the parish. In 2005, when the newly built St. Mary’s Convent, Bishop Street opened, she came back to the city, was a founding member of the community and was appointed Community Bursar.
Patricia was very devoted to her family and they to her. She appreciated their many visits and also their loyalty and goodness to Sr. Mary, Sr. Stanislaus and herself over the years. She always looked forward to their trips to Duagh.
Her general health began to deteriorate and in 2015 she transferred to Catherine McAuley Nursing Home, Bishop Street. Here she maintained her gentle, peaceful presence and she was lovingly cared for. Her sister, Sr. Mary, joined her there in November 2021.
Patricia died very peacefully and she was sadly missed by her sisters, Sr. Mary and Sr Stanislaus, Convent of Mercy Mallow, her brother Gerard, her niece Máire, her nephews Pat and Liam, nieces-in-law, nephew-in-law, grandnieces, grandnephews, her Mercy community and a wide circle of friends. Sincere sympathy was extended to all.
May her gentle soul rest in peace
Sr. Patricia reposed in Griffin’s Funeral Home, Limerick, on Thursday, November 25th from 4.30 pm with closing prayer at 6 pm.
Her Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Athlunkard Street, Limerick, on Friday November 26th at 11 am, followed by burial in St. Mary’s Convent Cemetery.
