Lupeta Carmody

Deceased Sisters

Lupeta Carmody - United Kingdom
19/09/1927 - 13/02/2017

In England, the year 2017 claimed another Marist Sister for eternal life, Sister Lupeta Carmody Born on19^th September 1927 into a family of five girls and three boys in a small village Glountane, County Kerry, Ireland she attended the local Primary School where her mother taught. For secondary level she attended the Presentation Secondary School for Girls in Castleisland. It was during these years that representatives of Congregations visited schools recounting their story in the hope of attracting potential candidates. The response was very positive in this instance when as a result of a visit from a Marist Sister three candidates showed interest including Elizabeth Carmody and two companions known later as Sisters Eamon and Peter Chanel

Decision time at the end of Secondary School when she was inspired to commit herself to religious life and joined St Brigid’s Novitiate Carrick-on-Shannon County Leitrim on 1^st September 1945 just after world War 2 declaration of Peace.

Following two years in St Brigid’s Novitiate Elizabeth Carmody now known as Sister Lupeta was assigned to Nympsfield community in England in September1947 - a big step to a country that was recovering from the ravages of war. In Nympsfield, Sister Lupeta as student teacher taught in the parish school for five years and also gave valuable and welcome assistance in the Children’s Home.

Understanding, kind and welcoming, Sister Lupeta part-changed ministry direction and trained as a Residential Child Care Officer which qualified her to take responsibility for a group of children as a House Mother in Nympsfield until 1962 when she moved to West Byfleet Surrey for three years

In 1966 she went to Villa Maria where a recent closure of the Junior School provided accommodation for a Children’s Home and into the work which she loved until 1977 when she was assigned to Saint Anthony’s Home for teenagers in Nympsfield.

With the closure of Children’s Homes by the government, a new challenge was evident for Sister Lupeta’s enthusiasm when she had to change ministry once again but a sabbatical break in 1988 enabled her to undertake with fresh energy the challenge of the new.

From 1988-1995 she was community leader of Hythe, Swallownest and Hexham communities where in each case she brought happiness to the lives of many as she became involved is visiting old, sick and lonely people in the parishes

1995 Sr Lupeta was assigned to the growing Retreat Centre in Nympsfield where she made considerable contribution to its growth as a spiritual centre and also to the physical updating of facilities. She welcomed the challenge and set about its development with enthusiasm. As the months passed clients began to use the centre facilities for conferences, group and individual retreats and other functions.

A Sister who worked alongside Lupeta wrote ‘Sister’s welcome and hospitality knew no bounds; she was a free spirit endearing herself to individuals and groups alike. She believed in ‘risk-taking’ which did not always work out to plan and while that may have dampened her spirit it never deterred her efforts.

2004-2010 Ministry was mostly in community with some parish involvement in Ottery-Saint-Mary, East Devon and Great Barr, Birmingham until 2010 when Sr Lupeta was assigned to Marist Convent Hythe where she was associated with a less demanding pattern of ministry. She enjoyed producing floral arrangements for the chapel and other light activity until energies began to lessen and she moved into Villa Maria

Here she was happy in a much simplified life-style which gave time to pray, rest, chat, cared for by Villa Maria dedicated staff. Down to Mass daily she appreciated the gentler pace.

For many years Sister Lupeta suffered from curvature of the spine which in her last years of life caused acute discomfort and lack of mobility, difficulties she suffered cheerfully.

Sister Lupeta spent almost seventy years as a Marist Sister approaching her Platinum Jubilee of profession on 1^st September. She was a person of simple but deep faith nurtured in a happy religious home and supported in her communities all through life.

In January Sister Lupeta grew weaker and on 13^th February she died peacefully in Villa Maria supported by the rites and prayers of the Church and the loving care of her community and Carers. On 27^th February her remains were received in Villa Maria Chapel to the recitation of Evening Prayer. Requiem Mass on 28^th offered by Father Copsey from the local parish was followed by burial in Hawkinge Cemetery adding one more to the good number of Marist Sisters remembered there. May she and they all rest in peace.

Deceased Sisters

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