Gemma Rooney

Deceased Sisters

Gemma Rooney - Ireland
12/06/1922 - 12/01/2017

Remembering Gemma

How does one sum up Sister Gemma Rooney’s life – a life spanning 71 years of Marist living in seven different English and Irish communities? With difficulty.

However, the symbols presented at her funeral Mass in Carrick-on-Shannon Parish Church on January 12 2017 gave a good indication of her priorities.

1. Constitutions of the Marist Sisters reminding us of her fidelity to the commitment she had made at her profession in 1946.

2. A cookery book pointing to her love of cooking, the generous service she gave in many of our communities and the tastiness of the meals she prepared, be they plain bacon and cabbage, or a full Christmas dinner.

3. A rosary beads denoting her devotion to Mary, especially to our Lady of Knock.

4. A photograph of her extended family- Redmonds, Rooneys and Sweeneys whom she affectionately called “my ones”.

Gemma was a “people’s person” – the warmth of her smile and the mischievous glint in her eye would make anybody's day!

You might meet her late in the evening with coat and bag, headed for the town; ostensibly to buy fruit for the priest’s breakfast but more likely, just for a chat with the locals!

Gemma’s kindness was extended to all age-groups – pupils arriving to the kitchen door with real or imaginary pains would be given a sympathetic ear, a seat beside the Aga and a cup of hot milk.

Teachers and school staff were always welcomed with a cup of tea and a fresh scone. Travellers or “men of the roads” were never turned away without a mug of hot tea and a sandwich.

In a very special category were the priests who came for breakfast after the weekly mass in the Convent and those who dropped in for Gemma’s well-known hospitality.

One priest who phoned to sympathise on Gemma’s death acknowledged his indebtedness to her for “keeping him alive body and soul” while he was Chaplain in Charlestown School and studying for his H. Dip Ed.

Punctuality and Faithfulness to her Prayers were key factors in Gemma’s life. During her latter years, she was confined to her chair and would frequently ask: “Is it time for the Chapel?” On hearing it was, she would set off on her little 3-wheeler to arrive in good time for the Rosary and always making it to say her Decade.

Gemma was very grateful for all that was done for her in Carrick by the community and carers alike. She wold sit quietly in the Dining Room after meals, saying little but always observant and aware of all that was going on.

During the three weeks of her final illness in Sligo Hospital her family were there for her. Never once was she left without one or several of her beloved “my ones” at her side. On the last night of her wake in our Convent Chapel, Gemma was surrounded by a Bodyguard of her extended family, men and women who stood tall, proud, strong and grateful to God for this well-loved aunt to whom they were, and always will be, “My Ones”

“Surely Goodness and Kindness will follow her …… ” Ps. 22

Deceased Sisters

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