In Memory

Sr. Margaret Murray R.I.P.

On 26th February 2022, a sense of sadness and loss was felt by the Murray family and the Sisters of St. John of God, on hearing of Sr. Margaret Murray’s death R.I.P. Margaret’s leaving us came more quickly than most of us expected, but like so much of Margaret’s life, it was quiet and without fuss – she simply slipped away.

From Ballinvalley, Killeigh, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Margaret was born 16th October 1931. She was the second youngest child of the family. Her parents, Timothy and Mary (nee Casey) were also blessed with another daughter and four sons. Margaret attended the local Primary School in Killurin and continued her education at the Sacred Heart Secondary School, Tullamore. It was during her final year there that she felt called to religious life. She was interested in a Nursing Congregation and on the advice of the local curate, she contacted the St. John of God Sisters in Edenderry and entered the Congregation in Wexford, in September 1951. At Reception, some months later, she received the name “Gervase”, but reverted to her Baptismal name when this was permitted post Vatican II.

Following First Profession in June 1954, Margaret trained in General Nursing in Wexford Co. Hospital and later did Midwifery training in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. During her nursing life, she ministered in St. John’s Enniscorthy, Cahercalla, Ennis, Aut Even, Kilkenny, Daisy Hill, Newry and Buea, Cameroon. In 1980, she was appointed Matron in District Hospital, Edenderry and later held a similar post in District Hospital, Gorey. Following her retirement from the public hospital scene, Margaret spent some years as Infirmarian and later as Sacristan in Wexford Convent. She moved to Sallyville House in November 2017.

Margaret was a very private person, who lived her life quietly and unassumingly. She was most conscientious about everything she undertook to do. She participated for as long as she could in the life of the Congregation and in the ministry of the retirement community, still expecting and maintaining the same high standards, which she set herself during her nursing life. However, pain and disability gradually claimed her energy and independence. She found dependence difficult, but her deep faith and trust in God carried her through the most trying times.

Rev. Anthony O’Connell (Chaplain) celebrated Margaret’s Funeral Mass attended by family and Sisters at Sallyville House, after which she was laid to rest in the Convent Cemetery.

Margaret is sadly missed by her sisters-in-law, Doris and Peig, her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, her St. John of God Sisters, extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Mary and brothers, Tom, Christy, Mick and Tim. May she now rejoice with them in that everlasting home, prepared for her by the Lord she served so well.