In Memory

Sr. Florence McGrath

Florence died peacefully in the loving care of the staff and sisters at Sallyville House, following a short illness. May she rest in peace.

Florence was born in Decomade, Lissycasey, Co. Clare to Patrick McGrath and Anne nee Landers. She was predeceased by her parents and all her siblings: Eileen, Mary Teresa, Kathleen, Kevin and Anthony. Florence is sadly missed by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, extended family, many friends and her St. John of God Community.

Florence attended primary school in Lissycasey and the Mercy Secondary School, Ennis. Co. Clare. She trained as a seamstress and worked as a drapery assistant for a number of years in Ennis.

She entered the St. John of God Novitiate on 4th March 1960, making Final Profession on September 9th 1965. She then commenced her nurse training in the Co. Hospital Wexford. In 1966 she ministered in Naas General Hospital and then served as infirmarian in St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny.

In 1971 Florence began further training and qualified in Special Needs Childrens Nursing at the St. John of God Brothers facility Drumcar, Co. Louth. In 1972 she went to the newly opened St. John of God House, Enniscorthy, a facility for Special Needs Children. She served as Matron there until 1986, when she took a three year career break from the Health Board. She spent this time in the Buea Maternity Clinic, Cameroon. She returned to SJG House, Enniscorthy from 1989 – 1994.

Between 1995 – 2006 Florence was Bursar and on the leadership team in Kilkenny Convent. In 2006 she joined the AIDS Mission in Tzaneen, South Africa until 2008. Then she did a short Sabbatical in Hawkstone Hall, England. Feeling refreshed after this, she went to the Aut Even Community until she retired to Kilkenny Convent 2014.

In 2019 she joined the community in the newly refurbished Wexford Convent and finally in January 2022 she moved to Sallyville House.  She described her time there as wonderful and the staff as extremely helpful.

Florence’s personality, her sensitivity and sense of fun were gifts she shared with her communities, family, friends, special needs children and their families. Wherever she lived in Ireland or Africa she shared her creativity generously, especially her gift of sewing. She loved reading, storytelling and walking.

While reposing in Sallyville House Chapel, family, friends, staff, colleagues and sisters gathered and remembered Florence’s spirit of kindness and compassion.  The evening concluded with evening prayer. Florence’s funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. Jim Curtis, Chaplain, Sallyville House, assisted by Fr. Barry Larkin, whose mother Kit worked alongside Florence in St. John of God House for many years. Florence was laid to rest in Foulkstown Cemetery, Kilkenny.