Sister Margareth

Sr Margaret Carolan was born on 11^th March 1930 in Tullyallen, Drogheda, and named Catherine by her parents Joseph and Anne Carolan. She was the 4^th of 6 children and we are pleased that her sister Anna is able to be with us today. She was educated at St Philomena's High School in the Irish language and has an Irish Leaving Certificate to prove her adeptness with the native language.

At the advice of a priest, Monsignor Wilson, she entered the Daughters of Divine Charity in Long Eaton as a postulant in January 1949 and was clothed the following August in Swaffham. Two years later she made her first vows on 28^th August 1951 and was then sent to Digby Stuart College to begin her training as a Primary School Teacher. She worked as a teacher and Headmistress in both Chesterfield and Swaffham for forty-five years.

I remember meeting her in 1953 when I first attended St Joseph's Convent School as a rather timid eight year old. She terrified me because she regularly told me off about my irregular uniform, but at the same time she looked such an amazingly beautiful nun with her face framed by a cute wrinkly bonnet and bow. She was the Junior 2 teacher and she really enjoyed teaching primary school children. She inspired them and made learning fun. Later she was directed, probably in obedience, to teach the Seniors' Biology and I am sure that she did not enjoy that challenge.

She was great fun as a young Sister and took us on wonderful adventures on Sunday afternoons. Sometimes she walked too far and then she had to work out how to return us safely in time for Benediction. On one of those expeditions, she looked longingly at Derbyshire's open moorland and said that she would like to build a hermitage at the top. This impressed me very much as a teenager, because she did not talk as much as some of the Sisters about religion, but seemed to live it.

As a young vibrant Sister she had quite a following of young people. She started Past Pupils Meetings both in Chesterfield and later in Swaffham. One of her former Chesterfield pupils flew all the way from the Isle of Man to greet her when she heard how ill she was. She had a great capacity for keeping in touch with pupils and the many foreign students who stayed with us. Recently in Zagreb, the Croatian Sisters were amazed that every evening another student would arrive to take Sr Margaret and Sr Thomas More out for supper. It was Sr Margaret who remembered all their names and kept in touch with them.

Not only could she remember names, but also the faces of Sisters from all around the world and match the two together. Her memory was excellent for facts and places as well, particularly strange sounding places in the many countries that she visited as Provincial of the Sacred Heart Province. One did not argue with Sr Margaret if she made a proclamation about names or places.

Sr Margaret was interested in the whole of the Congregation and showed her love by always being a willing participant. A naturally forthright person, she often found herself leading and organising other Sisters at international meetings. Her confident manner enabled her to express her point of view in public. If she was entrusted with a task, it would always be taken seriously and completed to the best of her ability.

She spent many an hour reviewing translations for the Congregation. One marathon she undertook with Sr Josefa was the translation of our prayer book. The computer was never her forte, but she kept in touch by hand-written letters with Sisters from many Provinces, keeping the Sacred Heart Province, England, well and truly on the map.

She was always hospitable and welcoming to visitors, particularly priests; and had a great heart for the Church and the Missions, being sensitive to the needs of the poor and under-privileged. Sr Margaret would remind us frequently of our mission in Rushooka, Uganda. There was always a 5p collecting jar in full view for the unsuspecting visitor.

She was very strict with her pupils and even other adults, but also strict with herself. Many would even say they were in awe of her as she said things as they were, and did not suffer fools gladly. As Headmistress in Swaffham for six years and then in Chesterfield for 18 years, she was a fair and just leader and good organiser, both pupils and staff respected her.

Always an energetic Sister, with a great capacity for scrubbing and cleaning, her habit tied up like a duck's tail, sleeves rolled back she was ready for anything, and no task was too menial for her. Indeed, she modelled self discipline, persistence and perseverance to other Sisters and one felt duty bound to follow her example.

Someone mentioned that Sr Margaret lived a simple lifestyle, all religious are bound to do that, but she kept her vow of poverty well as she did not seek the latest gadget to help her in her work. I am not even sure if she owed a camera, her most valued possession was her radio and she would avidly keep up with current affairs.

A prayerful person, she would observe our rules faithfully, and expect others to attain her high standards. She loved her vocation and fostered vocations in others. Her special devotion was to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, firstly through her name-sake Sr Margaret Mary whose name she took in religion, as well as the association with Swaffham and the Province.

Hymn singing was her passion, on pilgrimages, in the chapel and at religious meetings; one could always rely on Sr Margaret's loud tuneful voice to bring life and soul to these occasions.

Sister Margaret suffered many illnesses but bore them quietly and patiently, particularly her last fight with cancer. She was a very private and independent soul and she remained fully in control until the last few days of her life spent in the Lord's service for 60 years.