Sr. Kathleen Mary Lawlor (Kasha Lawlor)
Sister Kasha Mary Lawlor was born in Crettyard Co. Kilkenny on November 17th 1928, into a devout Catholic family, that gave two daughters to our Congregation. After attending her local primary school and Notre Dame Boarding School in Limavady, Northern Ireland, Kasha joined our Juniorate in Hastings in 1945, and after two years was received into Postulancy in January 1947 and later on 08 September 1947 entered the Novitiate. She made her First Profession in 1949 and trained as a music teacher. In 1953, Kasha fell ill with TB and had to spend a year at a sanatorium. Thankfully, she made a remarkable recovery. Kasha was intelligent, tenacious and determined not to let her illness hold her back in any way. She loved music, which she studied in Hastings and Scotland. After attending Notre Dame Teachers’ Training College in Liverpool, for three years, she taught in Leyland and Bootle with great success and became head of Religious Education in the Secondary School. She also taught English to O level classes, and as Organist, prepared Sunday liturgy with the children. She took out a Degree in Theology in Maynooth College and received her Higher Diploma at Trinity College Dublin.
Kasha was a responsible and capable person. From 1981 to 1984 she was Superior in both Leyland and Chew Magna—always gentle and considerate in her approach to others. Around this time she spent three months in Rome, which she found very enjoyable and helpful. In 1998, she returned to Churchtown to become Spiritual Animator in the Community. She was also Organist and as such, took responsibility for the liturgy every Sunday.
Kasha was never very robust in health, dating from her TB experience, but in spite of that, she remained enthusiastic and interested in everything, and was successful in all her undertakings. As Kasha grew older, her health began to fail. She still put pressure on herself to accomplish her former duties, and would stay up at night to prepare the Sunday liturgy.
Finally, it became clear that Kasha needed full time care, so she was transferred to Queen of Peace Nursing Home, which at that time, gave her plenty of scope and freedom to move around. Her older Sister, Dorothy, requested that Marie would join Kasha; the latter was also in need of full time care. It was agreed by the P.L.T, to place the two Sisters together in Queen of Peace.
When Kasha reached the age of 92, she often mentioned her desire to die, and completely lost all interest in everything. Soon it became evident that she had not much longer to live. The Nursing Staff kept us informed of her progress and she was visited regularly.
On the evening of the 27th September, 2019, Kasha’s condition worsened; it was clear that her life was coming to an end. The two sisters present at her bedside, Sr. Brigid Mary Kennedy and Sr. Hieu Thao, together with her cousin, Simon Mc. Donald, said the prayers for the dying, as Sister Kasha peacefully gave her soul back to God that night. Sister Kasha’s remains were initially brought to the Funeral Home in Dundrum, but on the following day, they were transferred to our Convent, where many of the family had gathered to take part in a special service for the happy repose of her soul. The funeral Mass took place in our Convent Chapel on the following morning and was once again attended by the Community and a large group of Sister Kasha’s family, including her sister Marie, who lovingly mourned her loss. Fr. Bradley, Holy Ghost Priest, celebrated the Mass, assisted by other Holy Ghost Fathers, and Fr. Leo Quinlan, Kasha’s first cousin.
After the burial in Mount Venus Cemetery, all returned to the Convent, where a welcome lunch had been prepared. It was a fitting conclusion for Kasha, who had spent many years of service in Notre Dame Convent. May her dear soul rest in peace.
‘’Those who die in grace, go no further from us than God, and God is very near.’’