SISTER MARY KELLY (Mary Michael)
Mary, was the youngest of a family of ten, born to Mary and Mick Kelly in Straw, Draperstown, Co Derry. Mary was two years old when her father died after a painful illness. Aware of nearing the end he gathered the family, inviting them to work together to help their mother. This was a painful time especially for older members. Mary was too young to understand at this stage and one of her earliest memories was of “a very happy, united and lively family.” They worked together, helped their mother, and successfully managed the hard labour on the farm. Deep faith with a life of prayer enabled her mother to bring up and educate this family of ten.
Mary, along with three of her brothers, walked to the local Primary School in the village. School held some unpleasant memories for her with “harsh teachers.” She remembered an experience which carried the seed of her vocation when she was nine. One of her favourite teachers died, “standing at the gate of my home watching the funeral arrive at the chapel a short distance down the road, I felt so sad.” At this special moment she vividly recalled saying to herself “I must do something worthwhile with my life.”
Mary’s oldest sister Ann, left home in 1934, to board at the Convent in Limavady and then to join the RNDM’s. Eight years later Mary met this sister again, now Sister Mary Clement, when she accompanied the then Superior General on a visit to Limavady. This reunion with the sister she hardly knew, inspired Mary, and gave her the courage and reassurance she needed to follow the call to religious life. After spending four years in Limavady she entered the Novitiate in Hastings in 1943 and took the name Sister Mary Michael. After First Profession she taught at Chew Magna near Bristol for two years before obtaining a teacher’s qualification at Digby Stuart College, London, after which she taught for six years at St Mary’s Primary school, Hastings.
Mary was appointed Novice Mistress in 1956, a position she held for fourteen years. “Anticipation of taking on the role was scary, but I have always regarded that period of my life as a time of grace and opportunity.” This was a time when Religious Life was growing and flourishing and yet it was not an easy period to form young women with the approaching changes facing society, the Church and within the Congregation. The complications and challenges of living and working under the same roof as the General Administration had its own influence. However, Mary journeyed with dignity, innate purpose, inner trust, and a quiet gentleness in her responsibilities.
Her love of Scripture and prayer instilled a deep love for God, greatly valued by the Novices, and a good preparation and grounding for a new openness to possibilities for future unfolding. The Sisters who entered the Novitiate during this time speak with gratitude of Mary’s integrity, gentle guidance, wisdom, deep prayer life and her kind, happy disposition. Her attractive smile and serenity is etched in many memories.
Following three years as leader in Deal, Mary was missioned to Kenya in 1974, initially for three months which stretched to twenty-one happy and fulfilled years. Teaching and helping students reach their full potential, in Karinga, Bahati, and Matuu, (Mary was one of the four founding members of this latter mission), was hard work and rewarding. After spending some time working with women in Kabaa, Mary moved to the newly built formation block in Machakos, where she was missioned to formation with the new intake of postulants. The Kenyan Province share their appreciation: “Sister Mary Kelly was a true missionary of Euphrasie to the Kenyan Missions in Education and formation. Many of us older Kenyan RNDMs passed through her hands as our formator and we remember her with gratitude for the seeds she planted in us in Kenya, she was our guardian angel in leading us in scripture and Euphrasie’s footsteps. Her humility and dedication to prayer was something we remember with respect.” Lucy Wambui, one of her first Postulants adds: “Her gentleness always drew people to her.”
On her return to the province, Mary lived and worked in Antrim with her sister, Mary Clement. They were the only remaining survivors of their large family. For thirteen years Mary supported the efficient running of the Family Caring Centre, visiting and working in housing schemes, particularly in Rathenraw, helping with prayer groups, Bible study, education activities for adults with special needs. Sadly, the sisters had to withdraw from Antrim in 2008 with Mary and her sister joining the Community at Churchtown, Dublin. Mary remained active helping with the needs of the ageing community as well as caring for her sister, until she moved to St Anne’s, Sturry, in August 2019 where she received the care she needed until she died on 13 January, 2023.
Mary had a long, rich, and fruitful life. She was respected and well-loved as a contemplative, humble, faithful, and gentle woman of integrity throughout her life. She had a particular love and devotion to Mary, Mother of God, joining with others in praying the rosary. She appreciated the care she received from Sisters and staff during her last years in St Anne’s.
Rest in peace, Mary.
Father Matthew, Parish Priest from Deal, celebrated the funeral Mass in Sturry on 30th January. Many members of Mary’s family and friends, traveling from different parts of the country, some from great distances, came to say their final farewell to someone they loved and respected. Our Province Leader and members of her team, Sisters from the community in Deal and from Sturry communities, with many following online – was a wonderful acknowledgment of affection, respect, and gratitude for the life and happy death of Mary. She was laid to rest in the cemetery in Sturry.
May there be a beautiful welcome for you in the home you are going to.
You are not going to somewhere strange.
You are going back to the home you never left.
(John O’Donohue Anam Cara)