In Memory

Sr. Sheila Lynch R.I.P.

Sr. Sheila Lynch was born in Derrymaclevode, Clonkeen, Co Kerry on 15th August 1923.  Her parents were William and Margaret Lynch.  She is survived by her brothers Christy and Stephen, her sisters Maura and Sr. Peggy and many nieces and nephews.

Sheila entered St John of God Novitiate, Wexford on 3rd October 1940, made her First Profession on 9th July 1944 and her Final Profession on 9th July 1950.

Sheila’s first mission was to Broome, West Australia, from 1946 to 1948.  She then returned to England and did teacher training in Hull.  Having qualified she taught in our schools in Bristol and Trowbridge until1962, when once again she responded to a missionary call.  Prior to going to Nigeria she studied for a degree in languages at University College, Dublin.  Having completed her degree, she set off for Nigeria.  Her time there was short-lived, as with the outbreak of the Biafran war in 1967 our Sisters were forced to leave Nigeria.

Sheila returned to England and continued her teaching apostolate at the St. Richard of Chichester College, Camden Town and later at St. Aloysius College, Highgate.  There she taught French until her retirement from teaching in 1987.  Her retirement was short-lived as she qualified as a Hospital Chaplain and in 1990 was appointed as assistant Chaplain to Whittington Hospital.

Sheila had many gifts and used them to the full.  She was a gifted musician and was organist at St. Mellitus Church, Tollington Park.  She employed her counselling skills, counselling patients at a local doctor’s surgery and also found time to help out at a local charity shop. With the closure of Tollington Park Convent, Sheila moved to Newry where she continued her outreach to people. She acted as a volunteer in an Adult Rehabilitation Centre and also helped out in a Catholic bookshop.

Due to ill health Sheila finally retired in 2008 to St John of God Convent, Kilkenny where she bore her failing health with faith-filled endurance.  She died peacefully on 5th November, 2010.  Following her Requiem Mass in the Church of Our Lady of the Wayside, Clonkeen, her native place, Sheila crossed the Cork / Kerry border one final time and was interred in St. Gobnet’s Cemetery, Ballyvourney, Co. Cork.

We thank God for all she has given throughout her life and pray that she now enjoys the fullness of life with God.