THE FUNERAL of popular nun Sr Gerard McLaughlin took place yesterday when she was remembered as someone who “touched so many lives”.
The Termon native was well known in Letterkenny from her time at St Eunan’s College where she looked after the borders from 1986 to 1991.
Sr Gerard resided at St Catherine’s Convent of Mercy, Ballyshannon and her funeral mass took place in St Patrick’s Church.
Very Rev Cathal Ó Fearraí PP officiated along with con-celebrants Fr Vincent Finnegan, Rossnowlagh Friary and Fr Dermot Burke.
Fr Ó Fearraí described Sr Gerard as a “strong, formidable character” who had a very warm personality. He said she was a people’s person and had a heart of gold.
“She was a breath of fresh air to St Eunan’s College. The joy she had in her work and the care she had for teachers, for her own staff or students,” said Fr Ó Fearraí.
“She knew all the students and had a great relationship with them and whenever I meet past pupils of St Eunan’s College most of them would always ask how is Sr Gerard and she would be delighted when I brought that news back to her.”
In 1991 she moved back to St Catherine’s Convent and celebrated her golden jubilee in 2000.
Fr Ó Fearraí said during the pandemic Sr Gerard did not like the lockdowns. Despite this she kept in touch with everyone with phone calls and letters and cards when she could not get out.
Sr Gerard passed away peacefully at Sligo University Hospital on Thursday. She is predeceased by her mother Hannah, father James, brothers Denis, Hughie, Marcus, Mandy, Paddy, John, Willie and Jim, sisters Bea, Mary, Sheila, Katie.
She will be sadly missed by her sisters Frances and Anne and St. Catherine’s Mercy Community, Ballyshannon, all her nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)