It was only in recent years I got to know Sr. Ann and it is very true to say that my insights on life, faith, humanity nature and the beauty of nature were greatly enhanced as a result of conversations with her along with savouring her many texts, articles, reflection and poems.
Her gift as a creative writer and narrator came to the fore, most especially during the time of lock-down. Fr. Gerry Kenny who celebrated her requiem Mass and preached the homily at Sr. Ann’s funeral on Monday last in the Cathedral in Ennis informed the congregation that during that time of the pandemic she was eager to source creative ways to get the Gospel message to people, to share the hope that was at the centre of her strong faith. She got busy composing reflections and inspirational pieces for social media and radio and was part of a team of four contributors to the Clare Champion for weekly articles.
Sr. Ann died peacefully on July 4th, in the loving care of the staff of Milford Hospice, Limerick. Ann was born in Limerick to Hugh and Mary Crowley (nee Cusack) on May 30th, 1948. She was the third in a family of four – Mary, Hugh and Bernie, all of whom have predeceased her. Because Ann’s father was an inspector on the railway, the family lived in various places – Sligo, Limerick and Clare where Ann attended primary school. Her secondary education was in Coláiste Mhuire, Ennis.
Ann entered the Sisters of Mercy, Kilrush on September 24th, 1966. Her First Profession was on July 19th, 1969, and her motto was “To love as Christ loves.” She made her Final Profession on August 14th, 1974.
Ann attended Mater Dei Institute, Dublin where she achieved an M.A. in Religious Science.
After graduating Ann was a much-loved teacher of Religion and English in Kilrush Convent School, in Kilkee Convent School and in Kilkee Community College where she spent most of her teaching life until 2005.
After retirement Ann dedicated herself to poetry and produced two published collections of same. This was along with being involved in the above-mentioned Parish Reflections and, until recently, once a month she had a Spiritual Reflection in the Clare Champion and also wrote for the Clare FM Radio Programme “Beyond Belief”.
In 2024 Ann was diagnosed with cancer, and she showed striking acceptance of her illness, never complaining. She spent some time in Catherine McAuley Nursing Home in Limerick where she became involved in every aspect of daily living and was lovingly cared for by the staff there. She got a brief reprieve and returned to Kilkee, but her illness returned, and she moved to St. Xavier’s Convent, Ennis where she was cared for with love and attention over the past month.
Ann was a very friendly, gentle, thoughtful and creative person and endeared herself to all with whom she came in contact. She kept in touch with staff and past pupils, all of whom held her in high regard and remembered her particularly for her kindness. I had the privilege of visiting her in Milford Hospice just days before she passed away and despite her illness, she was so calm and serene and had no fear of death, of facing her maker and creator, whom she loved so much.
Just a before she departed Kilkee, where she was so much at home, she did some tidying and clearing out. She sent me a delightful gift – four huge volumes on the life of Jesus, A Marginal Jew, Rethinking the Historical Jesus by John P. Meier. They were well thumbed volumes, and I know that Ann had often digested and distilled with great love the biblical and Christological wisdom therein.
I treasure her volumes of poetry and I finish with a poem from the collection entitled My Elusive God, published in 2008. It captures her contentment in living in Kilkee beside the sea and her love of nature that so often drew her into the mystery of God who created us.
Song of the Sea
In her indefatigable wildness
The ocean lifts its turquoise mist
And sweeps in one thundering roll
Its marathon seas,
Sculpting new dunes upon the sands,
Revealing green forests on its floor,
Gold woven with coral shapes.
It spays its irreverent mirth
A transparent clear belt
Where silence seems to stretch
And dolphin wheels somersault
Into the grey crimson darkness,
Flirting with the shadows.
Distant cavernous rocks
Where seaweed laps the spaces
Reveal a chorus of tiny
Creatures claiming their home.
Fathomless cosmic space
Like a mirage of magnificence
Beneath whose shadow
The searching wind circles
In ritual dance
The giant heartbeat of mingling seas
Shimmering in sacred joy the
Awesome beauty of the oceans
And I compose my Evening Song.
Ann will be greatly missed by her niece Geraldine and grandnephew Alex, her Mercy Sisters, her cousins, relatives and many friends.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.
✠ Fintan Monahan – Bishop of Killaloe