In Memory

Sr. Fidelis Shannon R.I.P.

There were feelings of deep loss and sadness at the St John of God Convent recently, occasioned by the death of Sr. Fidelis Shannon R.I.P.

Sr. Fidelis died in the early hours of Saturday 12th October 2013 after a relatively short illness, during which she was lovingly tended by members of her family, the St. John of God Sisters, the nurses and carers at the Convent and Wexford Home Care Team.

Sr. Fidelis (Mary) Shannon was born in Rathnafishogue, Hacketstown, Co. Carlow on 25th  April, 1928 and was the third of five children born to Denis and Mary Shannon.  She was christened Mary Agnes.  At the age of seven, she and her family moved to Killeens, Wexford and from there she attended the local Primary School and Loreto Secondary School.

Sr. Fidelis grew up in a happy, loving home, where her relationship with God was nurtured from an early age, so it was not surprising that during her secondary school years, she considered entering Religious Life.  Through her friendship with Sr. Conleth Deering, she was attracted to the Sisters of St John of God and entered our Novitiate in Spawell Road on 8th  September 1947.  There she made her Final Profession on 15th April, l953

Following her training in General Nursing and Midwifery, Sr Fidelis ministered in various hospitals in Counties Wexford, Waterford, Clare, Down and Devon, England.  In 1974 she volunteered to work among the Aboriginal people in Derby, N.W. Australia.  Later she ministered in Public Health in the Balgo Mission and received an award from the Flying Doctor Service of North West Australia for her work there.

Since her ‘retirement’ in 1988 from formal nursing she was engaged in caring for the elderly in the Sue Ryder Homes in Owning.  She finally retired from there in 2006 and went to live in Grange Cove in Waterford.

Fidelis was a very accomplished woman – a gentle, caring nurse and a very competent cook and home-maker.  She was calm and accepting of all that came her way during life and this was never more evident than in her acceptance of her final illness.  Her patient faith-filled resignation to God’s plan was an example and inspiration to all who shared those last weeks with her.

Sr. Fidelis was predeceased by her brothers Jim and Martin.  She will be greatly missed by her sister Breda, her brother Denis, sister-in-law Marie, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, the St John of God community and many friends.

Following Requiem Mass in Wexford Convent Church, she was laid to rest in the Convent Cemetery.  May her gentle soul rest in peace.