June is a momentous month for Sr Mary Tighe from Kylemelawn, Errill. For hot on the heels of her 100th birthday celebrations, she marked her oak jubilee of 80 years of religious profession.
Sr Mary is the second member of the Sisters of St. John of God in Ireland to reach the age of 100. However, she is the first to celebrate an oak jubilee in the Order in this part of the world.
The fresh-faced Errill native celebrated her 100th birthday with her community at the St John of God Convent, Sallyville House, Newtown, Wexford, on June 14.
One of a family of ten, many of her extended family members live in the Rathdowney area. Following Mass, celebrated by chaplin Fr. Tony O’Connell, the sisters and staff gathered to plant a tree in the convent grounds to mark the occasion. This was followed by a celebratory lunch.
On June 30, 1943, Sr. Mary made her first vows with the Sisters of St. John of God. On June 17 she was joined by many more sisters of St. John of God; her sister Anne Kiernan, Borris, Co. Carlow; nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews; extended family, friends and former colleagues for another celebration of birthday and jubilee.
The sisters and staff at Sallyville House pulled out all the stops and made it a very special occasion. The day started with Mass celebrated by Fr. Martin Delaney PP Rathdowney, assisted by chaplains Fr. Tony O’Connell and Fr. Jim Curtis.
This was followed by lunch and then a presentation of ‘This is Your Life’, meticulously researched and prepared by Annmarie Carter, manager, Sallyville House. All were treated to an enthralling trip down memory lane. Later, music was provided by Maura Duggan Rafter, Music Academy, Kilkenny, her husband Paddy and their son Alex. Maura is a past pupil of Sr. Mary’s in London.
Sr. Mary spent most of her religious life in England. In 1944, at the age of 21, she was missioned there and has vivid memories of those war years. She trained in primary teaching and taught in Fishponds, Bristol, in Trowbridge and then moved to London, where the trail of destruction caused by the war was still very evident.
She spent 40 years in the St. John of God School in Tollington Park. She was school principal there for many of those years and was highly respected by students and staff alike.
In 1997 Sr Mary retired from London to Rathdowney. She spent about 15 years in Rathdowney and this afforded her the opportunity to reconnect with family and in particular to get to know the younger generations of the Tighe family. She said that she valued this time very much. While in Rathdowney, she made a valuable contribution to the life of the church and community in various practical ways.
The centenarian said that her faith brought her through difficult times.
The gathering expressed thanks for the great gift she has been and continues to be for the community. Her positive attitude to life was especially noted.
