SR. BRIDGET WINDLE
Sr. Bridget Windle was born in Aughrim, Co Kerry in 1920 into a very happy religious family; she said her parents agreed on everything and decided everything together. No doubt Bridget inherited her happy, relaxed, easygoing temperament from them. She also inherited her lifelong interest in the history and politics of Ireland from home discussions. Even in her final years, she loved the history articles in “Ireland’s Own” that Sr. Charita regularly brought her.
Sr. Bridget was the eighth child in a family of eleven. Her parent’s ambition was to do the best for their growing family, but unfortunately, when Bridget was nine, her father died suddenly of heart trouble and her eldest brother had to return from America to take his place. Her mother, still under forty years, was left to bring up a large family, the youngest just one year old.
At the age of fourteen, Bridget took a job at a newsagent in Listowel, which satisfied her craving for reading. She entered in 1937, after a missionary priest told her that being a nun was a wonderful way to serve God. That summer, she accidently met Sisters Mary St. Ange and Mary St. Mel and took the boat with them to Holyhead. Her assignment after college was to Deal, but a place became vacant in Cork university, so she was sent there, instead.
Sr. Bridget taught in Hastings for seven years and in the grammar school in Wealdstone for twenty-two years. She was involved in the revision of the constitutions with Sr. Mary Roberta for the 1969 chapter. Meetings and chapters held no fears for Bridget; she took them all in her stride. Even when named provincial, she took the office in an easy, relaxed manner. She was intelligent and confident in herself and kind, gentle and considerate in her dealings with the sisters.
While serving as provincial councillor and as community leader in Churchtown, Bridget had the unforgettable experience of watching the arrival of his Holiness, Pope John Paul in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. In Churchtown, she took on the spiritual guidance of the Patricians, who met monthly and who remember her fondly. After her term as Provincial, she named herself for the Kenyan missions, which she described as the best decision of her life. Bridget loved the four years she spent there and was a great help to the young sisters in their studies, both in Kenya and in Churchtown. After her death, glowing tributes came from the provincial, Sr. Magdaline, and sisters in Kenya, praising her commitment, concern and encouragement of the sisters and her belief in their ability to realise their potential, if given the opportunity. Sr. Lucy in Rome said Bridget was both her mentor and first link with our congregation.
Bridget had a good sense of humour. She was able to play jokes and receive them. Fr. Bradley, who officiated at her funeral mass, mentioned her witty remarks and pithy sayings. Due to hearing difficulties, she once took a phone message for Sr. Catherine Brabender, relaying it as “Miss Lavender” and humorously called her by that name henceforth. Although Bridget lived through the Second World War with its sufferings and bombings, she never lost her positive outlook on life.
In 2015, Bridget had a bad fall that necessitated a spell of several weeks in St. James’ hospital, Dublin. Although she could walk with a frame, when the time came for her to return home, Bridget opted to go into Queen of Peace Nursing Home, saying that she needed full time care. The PLT agreed with this and Bridget was happy to the end with her decision.
Her 100th birthday fell in the middle of lockdown, so her niece, Kathleen and family, together with Sr. Elizabeth Hartigan and Sr. Una Rutledge, were only able to talk with her through an open window. Kathleen’s husband, John, was delighted when she recognised him, after a long period of not seeing him.
It was hoped that she would reach her 101 birthdays, but it wasn’t to be. She slipped away to God on Saturday, April 17, the same day as Prince Philip’s funeral. Her funeral mass, the first to be streamed in Churchtown, was offered by Fr. William Bradley on April 21st 2021. Due to Government regulations, only a certain number of Bridget’s relations and our sisters were present at the Mass and at graveside in Mount Venus Cemetery. It was a fitting conclusion to a full life well lived. Marcus Tullius Cicero said “the life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living” This will surely apply to Sr. Bridget, whose path in life crossed so many others during her lifetime.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hAnam dílis