Sr Rose O’Donoghue, a very popular member of the Mercy Order and a hugely respected teacher, who was laid to rest in Killarney this Saturday, has been remembered as a remarkable woman who influenced so many lives, particularly the many students she taught during her long and distinguished career.
In a moving tribute before the Requiem Mass commenced in St Mary’s Cathedral, her Mercy Order colleague, Sr Bernadette, said it was appropriate to celebrate a life that was well lived in the service of mercy.
“Sr Rose was a wonderful human resource for many students over the years and she touched their lives in ways that words can hardly express, guiding them in the right direction in order for all of them to live meaningful, fulfilling lives” she said.
Sr Bernadette said beyond Sr Rose’s role as a teacher, she was a wonderfully energetic citizen of Killarney and was always there to give a helping hand when needed.
“Let us remember Sr Rose not with sadness but with the joy and laughter that she brought into our lives, the lessons she taught us and the love she shared with us. St Rose’s legacy is timeless,” Sr Bernadette said.
Celebrant at the Requiem Mass, Killarney Parish Administrator Fr Kieran O’Brien, said Sr Rose influenced so many people in Killarney in so many different ways and she was many things to many people.
“Like a rose, she lived up to her name. She stood out, she was special and she will be lovingly remembered by her family and the Mercy community,” he said.
He said family ties were very important to Rose who was one of eight children in a family that who grew up in Muckross, Killarney.
Fr O’Brien said for over 60 years as a Mercy Sister Sr Rose followed in the footsteps and example of Catherine McAuley whose values were compassion, hospitality, respect, innovation, stewardship and teamwork.
“She lived her community life with joy and enthusiasm with her religious sisters on Rock Road,” he added.
Fr O’Brien recalled Sr Rose’s dedicated career as an inspiring teacher, initially in St Teresa’s Secondary School in the Mercy Convent, Killarney, later at the old technical school and, finally, at Killarney Community College where she was a valued and respected member of staff.
The Parish Administrator, who was joined on the altar by Bishop Emeritus Bill Murphy, Canon Tom Looney, Fr Billy Hynes OFM, Fr Tadhg Ó Dochartaigh, Fr Denis O’Mahony, Fr Paddy O’Donoghue and Fr Ger Godley, said Sr Rose took a personal interest in all her students and how they progressed through life, always caring for them and looking out for them.
Symbols brought to the altar to reflect Sr Rose’s life were a family photograph, her office book and Rosary beads to represent her religious life, a German text book to mark her years as a teacher, a CD to reflect her love of music, song and dance and a trekking pole to remember her love of the great outdoors and her hikes up Carrauntoohil and Torc mountains.
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