THE death took place on September 10 in Castlebar Hospital of Sr Martina Scanlon. She was a native of Kerry and had a very long association with the county of Mayo.
Sr Martina was born Mary Scanlon in Knockanure, Moyvane, Co Kerry on January 24, 1919. She attended the local schools and, in her late teens, came to Claremorris to continue her education in the Rural Domestic Economy School, which was run by the Sisters of Mercy.
Having completed the course, she decided to become a Sister of Mercy and entered the Convent of Mercy in Tuam in 1944. After her final vows in 1950, she was transferred to Colaiste Mhuire, Tourmakeady. There she remained for 42 years, working in the college and taking care of the young students.
Sr Martina enjoyed those years on the shores of Lough Mask. She became fluent in the Irish language and endeared herself to the students, their families and the local people.
Naturally, there were the occasional trips to Kerry to visit family and friends. Her sisters, Ellen, Julia, Bridie, Catherine and brother Timmy always had a cead mile failte for her and, like all Kerry people, she never forgot where she came from. This was always very evident on many all-Ireland final days!
When the Sisters bade farewell to Colaiste Mhuire in 1990 and came to live in Claremorris, Martina was happy to begin a new life in Bethany, D’Alton Street. She soon got to know the local people and became involved in some organisations including the Legion of Mary and the Apostolic Work as well as the set dancing and, in later years, Claremorris Active Retirement group.
She was happy to reside so close to St Colman’s Church and made many visits there each day. Of course, the central location of Claremorris on the main north-south road meant there was a direct run to Kerry also. She could take the bus from D’Alton Street and arrive in Listowel, where her sister Ellie lived, in a few hours. She was a great traveller and enjoyed day-trips from Curam and with the Active Retirement group in the summertime every year.
Martina was a very gentle and prayerful person and spent many hours in the presence of the Lord. In later years, her health began to fail. She had surgery in August 2006 and spent two weeks convalescing in Cuan Cháitríona in Castlebar. She was happy there and decided that it would be best for her to remain as she needed nursing care. That was three years ago.
She regained her strength there and was taken home to Claremorris for Sunday dinner many times. The members of her Community in Claremorris visited her weekly and she was always happy and content. She became weaker in recent months and became very ill on September 15. She was removed to the hospital and the Lord called her home on September 17.
After reposing in Cuan Chaitriona Nursing Home, removal took place to St Colman’s Church, Claremorris. Mass of the Resurrection was concelebrated by Rev Peter Gannon, accompanied by Rev Martin Gleeson, Rev Austin Fergus and Rev Michael Coyne. Burial took place afterwards in Claremorris cemetery.
Go ndeana a Dia trócaire ar a h-anam dílis.
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