Sister Dominica was born in Cloonainra, Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland on 10th March 1926.  Nurtured in a very happy family in her formative years and ready to begin her education she attended the Marist Convent School in Charlestown in the care of the Marist Sisters at both Primary and Secondary levels. 

Following second level came the time of decision-making on a career/vocation in life and after thought and prayer concluded that God was guiding her to religious life.  Educated and edified by the Marist Sisters during her school years, it was no great surprise she applied to the Marist Novitiate. 

At that time the novitiate was in Peckham London.  It was 1944 with World War 2 still in progress and was a time fraught with anxiety and apprehension for her and for her family as she chose to leave a loving and secure home in a peaceful country to go to England still at war.   The Marist Sisters Novitiate having recently suffered bomb damage was evacuated to peaceful Devon and it was there in Paignton that Sister Dominica carried out her decision and entered the Marist Sisters Novitiate in September 1943.

Following First Profession Sister Dominica remained in Paignton community as a student teacher in the Marist Convent Junior School Paignton.  Secure in her student teacher experience she successfully applied to Digby Stuart Teacher Training College in 1950 and obtained her Teachers’ Certificate in 1952.  She then returned to Paignton and to the Junior School until 1961 when she was transferred to Marist Convent West Byfleet where she taught in the Junior School until 1964 an important year in the annals of the Marist Sisters when a new community which included Sister Dominica began their mission in Goldthorpe South Yorkshire.   In the autumn of 1965 she was appointed Headteacher of Sacred Heart Primary School Goldthorpe a position she held until 

she retired from teaching in 1987.

A dedicated and resourceful teacher of wide interests she was very devoted to her students to whom she imparted some of her own enthusiasm and love of knowledge. In this village of Goldthorpe Sister Dominica knew all her students and their families and shared in their problems. Many of the men worked in the coal mines and life was difficult.

By nature very energetic in mind and body, following her years in education she became involved  with parish pastoral work in Romney Marsh a scattered area of population and of coastline in South East Kent with a number of Catholic families who commented on how good it was to “see someone from church”.  Ever cautious in her undertakings and encouraged by the advice of her community leader she thoroughly investigated and evaluated this new area of ministry and for several years visited weekly and prepared the children for the sacraments.  She worked too with the travelling community during her years in Fulham until a transfer back to Hythe to take responsibility as Community leader and Manager of Villa Maria.  On expiry of her mandate she transferred to Sunninghill and served as community bursar for many years.   Life here rekindled an active interest in education.  Like other members of the community she became prayer sponsor for the pupils and was generally interested in school life.  She also served on the governing bodies of several schools.

 

Headteacher of Marist School Mr Karl McCloskey Sunninghill wrote:

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Sister Dominica.  She was a truly wonderful woman, a faithful Marist Sister but for me she will be remembered with special fondness as a wise and skilled teacher.  She devoted many years of service in the education of children in Goldthorpe, Yorkshire, in the Marist School Paignton Devon and in the Marist Primary School in West Byfleet.

Regardless of geographical region, social context or educational setting, Sister Dominica was a highly accomplished practitioner who lived out the words of Marcellin Champagnat (founder of the Marist Brothers) “if you want to teach young people, first you must love them and love them all equally.” I certainly learned a great deal from her experience and her wise counsel.  Her attention to detail and her capacity to exercise caution, due diligence and rigour in all aspects of planning remains with me as a skill she shared generously……………..

In the Marist Sunninghill Sister Dominica was prayer sponsor for countless girls and was the inspiration behind the name which we use for our alumni.  Instead of the slightly disparaging term ‘old girls’ Sister Dominica felt that something softer and more elegant would suit better. Consequently we agreed to use the name of the Marist School magazine in Paignton ‘The Maristine’ as a more fitting nomenclature for dear past pupils..     

Outside educational and parish ministry she was blessed with good organisational ability and kept an observant eye on the happenings around her.  She was involved in the ministry of bursar for many years and was thorough and methodical.

Very appreciative of her vocation and its potential influence, she wanted to share it with others and for several years ran a ‘Marist Way’ group in Hythe and in Sunninghill.

Her Marist way of life was special to her and she took seriously her many commitments taking guidance from her strong faith which was bedrock to all she undertook. In 2009 her strength imposed a slower pace and her mobility became restricted she retired to Hythe Convent where she still continued leader and bursar responsibilities albeit on a much smaller scale.  In 2012 she moved from the convent to Villa Maria where she received the rest and care needed now   She spoke repeatedly of the kindness and good care she received from all Villa Maria Caring staff and from the sisters.

For some weeks she became increasingly weaker and on 20th January died very peacefully.  On 3rd February surrounded by her community, family and friends we celebrated a Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul giving thanks for her 90 years of life 70 of them as a Marist Sister, she was laid to rest with her many companions in Hawkinge Cemetery heralded to paradise with the singing of the Salve Regina and the Marist Hymn by the graveside.

Virgin Mother, Queen of Heaven

when our earthly toil is o’er,

Gather us beneath thy standard

Marists true to part no more.