In Memory

Sr. Columban Doyle R.I.P.

On Friday, 8th August, 2014 Sr. Columban Doyle died peacefully at St. John of God Convent, Newtown Road, Wexford.  Her return home to God came after a short illness and just eleven days before her ninetieth birthday.

Sr. Columban – Anna Doyle was one of four children born to John and Mary (nee Doyle) Doyle, Templescoby, Davidstown.  Following her education at the local Primary School and Loreto Secondary school, Enniscorthy, Anna entered the St. John of God Novitiate, Spawell Road, Wexford on 8th September, 1943.  She was professed on 13th June 1946.

Sr. Clolumban’s first love was teaching and she received her first experience in that field in a Private School in Bristol.  She trained at Maria Assumpta Training College in London and taught in St. Joseph’s School in Fisponds, Bristol, until her retirement in 1984.  There, she was loved by pupils, staff and the St. Joseph’s Parish community.  Those who knew her would say, she never raised her voice in the classroom, but always had perfect discipline!  For very many of those teaching years, she looked after the Sacristy in the Parish Church, where she kept everything in perfect order.

Following her retirement from school, Sr. Columban remained in Bristol doing Pastoral Work in the Parish, where she was well known and appreciated.  She visited three hospitals and made several house visits weekly, for a future ten years until the St. John of God community withdrew from Bristol in 1994.  She then came to St. John’s Hospital, Enniscorthy, where she continued her Pastoral Ministry for another four years before finally retiring to Newtown Road, Wexford in 1998.

Sr. Columban was quiet and retiring, but was a loyal friend to those close to her.  She had a keen sense of humour and could, at times enjoy a little mischievous banter!

Sr. Columban’s Requiem Mass, attended by family and friends, was celebrated by Monsignor Lory Kehoe on Sunday 10th August.  Concelebrants were Rev. Aodhan Marken, Prebytery, Wexford Town, and Rev. Fintan McDonald, Kiteagan.  Following Mass she was laid to rest in the Convent cemetery.

Sr. Columban is survived by her sister, Peggy Howlin, her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, her St. John of God Community and her many friends.

May her gentle soul now rest in God’s eternal peace.