In Memory

Sr. Maria Goretti Doyle R.I.P.

On the morning of Tuesday October 24th 2017, following a long illness, borne with dignity and resignation, Sr. Maria Goretti Doyle died peacefully in the presence of sisters and staff at S. John of God Convent, Newtown Road, Wexford.

Elizabeth Mary Doyle was born on November 11th 1931, the fifth child and first daughter of Michael and Ellen Doyle of Kyle, Borris, Co. Carlow.  She attended Ballymurphy Primary School and completed her second level education at St. Leo’s Secondary School in Carlow.
On September 8th 1950 Elizabeth entered the St. John of God Novitiate in Wexford where she was given the name ‘Maria Goretti’.  She was professed with four companions on May 26th 1953 and her first place of ministry was Owning in Co. Kilkenny.

Following final profession and teacher training in Carysfort College, Goretti was assigned to the school in Edenderry where she spent thirteen happy years.  She later taught in Kilkenny, Kilmore Road, Dublin and Kilmore, Co. Wexford where she was Vice Principal.
Following her retirement from teaching in Kilmore, she continued for a number of years in a Home/School Liaison role and then moved on to care for the residents of Loreto Village in Enniscorthy, before becoming Local Leader to the community in Newtown Road for a period of three years.

During the 1970’s Goretti acquired a Diploma in Catechetics from Mount Oliver Catechetical Centre in Dundalk and in the early 1980’s she was Director of Junior Professed Sisters in the Congregation’s Formation House in Donnybrook.  In 2011, with the onset of ill health, Goretti finally retired from active ministry and joined the community in Newtown Road.
Goretti was very conscientious in ministry and very committed to her St. John of God life.  She always participated fully in congregational events.  While she worked diligently, she also enjoyed life and loved her holidays!

She was very close to her immediate family and always remembered birthdays and special occasions.  Goretti was gifted at needlework and did some beautiful tapestries especially during her retirement years.  Her patient acceptance of her final illness was an inspiration to all.

Her cousin Very Reverend Pierce Murphy was the chief celebrant at Goretti’s Requiem Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rowe Street at which Bishop Denis Brennan presided.  Concelebrants were the Right Reverend Monsignor Lory Kehoe, Chaplain St. John God Convent, Reverend James Cullen, C.C. Rowe Street and Reverend William Caulfield, Kilmore.  Following Requiem Mass Goretti was laid to rest in the Convent cemetery in Newtown Road.

Sincere sympathy is extended to Goretti’s sisters, Teresa McGee (Rathnure), sister Norah, Brigidine Convent, Tullow and Peggy O’Sullivan (Limerick) and to her brothers James (Hacketstown) and Pierce (Kilcoltrim, Borris) and to her sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends within the St. John of God congregation and beyond.

Ar dheis Do go raibh a hanam dilís