Elena O'Connell

Deceased Sisters

Elena O'Connell - United Kingdom
14/09/1928 - 01/02/2020

Sr Elena was born into a devout loving Catholic family in Monorhamilton, Co Leitrim, Ireland on 14^th September 1928. Her parents were Ellen O’Connell (Croal) and John O’Connell. She was one of seven children, the younger sister of Anne O’Connell (Sr Mechtilde) who entered after Sr Elena.

Soon after leaving school, Sr Elena decided to become a Marist Sister, and went to the Marist Noviciate in Carrick-on –Shannon, Co Leitrim on 8^th December 1946. Her sister Anne followed a few years later. Having made her first Profession on 6^th September 1948 Sr Elena joined the Community in Hythe where she made her Final Vows on 8^th September 1953. She remained in Hythe until 1959 where she taught in St Augustine’s Primary School and prepared children for their First Holy Communion. She then attended the LSU College of Education in Southampton, trained for teaching Infants and specialised in history and needlework.

After finishing her teachers training in Southampton she inspired children in the schools where she taught, in Barnstaple, Englefield Green and Spain where she taught for 3 years and then in Cecil Road Parish School until 1974. Sr Elena was a dedicated teacher as was evident in her lively, spontaneous, imaginative, happy pupils. Her love of the environment and creation sparked off a great interest in her students, some of whom are now leaders working for climate change.

Sr Elena was a Catechetical co-ordinator for R.E in the Plymouth Diocese. This role she fulfilled with great success for a number of years. Her time in Manchester, as Community leader, she remembered with affection. After being an able, loved leader in Ottery she left Sunny Devon and spent a Sabbatical Year in Ireland.

Our new opening in Grimethorpe, in 1996, as a Parish Administrator was a challenge for her which she took in her stride with great courage.

In 2002 Great Barr, Birmingham was her next port-of-call. She was leader of the Marist Way group there and also began a monthly prayer meeting for Mothers. She visited the sick in the Parish too. She was very popular and all were very sad when she left.

Finally Sr Elena moved to Villa Maria in 2018 after spending 4 years in the Hythe Community. She spread peace wherever she was. Her healing presence was very evident in her vibrant, working days and even when she was in pain. She certainly was an example for us all. Pope Francis speaks about the joy of spreading the Gospel and Sr Elena joyfully did that.

A great story teller, she kept us all amused about happenings in Manorhamilton in the 40s. She was an avid reader and the jokes from Ireland’s Own she related to us at table.

We will miss Elena for her youthful spirit, her sense of humour, her generosity and her sharing, but most of all for her love of people, her closeness to the Lord and her gentle, simple way in making Mary present to us around her.

She passed away peacefully on Saturday 1st February surrounded by the Sisters, Carers, her niece Anne and husband. May she rest in Peace.

Deceased Sisters

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