Lest We Forget
Sister Colette Delaney, CSJP (1921-2008)
Catherine Delaney (Sister Colette) was born on August 26, 1921 in Ballyheigue, Co. Kerry, youngest and sixth daughter of Maurice and Joanna Delaney. At the age of 26 she left Ireland for Rearsby, Leicester on July 2, 1948 to enter with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Catherine completed her Postulancy in Rearsby and received her religious name Sister Colette on February 2, 1949. She is survived by her two sisters, Sister Loretto, Franciscan Sister of Mill Hill and Johanna O’Halloran.
Colette's first assignment was to St. Peter's Seminary, Kilmahew, Scotland where she spent happy years caring and catering for students for the priesthood. She was eventually sent to St. Charles, Carstairs, a residential home and school for people with special needs. She was an excellent seamstress and most creative in embroidery and needlework She worked tirelessly and with great compassion with the women in her care and she achieved remarkable results with even the least able. She had a great sense of humour and a warm and friendly disposition. She ministered also in our Convents in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Nottingham. Although she was quiet and retiring in her manner she was always a supportive presence in the background and willing to help in any way.
Colette returned to Rearsby in December 1979 where she enjoyed a very happy and fulfilling ministry over the past 28 years. She entered wholeheartedly into the ministry of hospitality in Rearsby Convent. She was gracious and welcoming to visitors, and loved to listen to and chat with anyone, young or old who wished to share their joys and sorrows with her. She was also Eucharistic Minister to the housebound and she brought great love, care and peace to many sick and lonely people in the local area.
Throughout her religious life Colette was a woman of prayer and total dedication to the Congregation. She had a great love and interest in all her family members and her love for her lovely Ballyheigue never waned throughout her many years in England. It was indeed a tremendous joy and comfort for her to have her niece Bridie and grand niece Jacqueline with her on her final day and consequently they were faithfully by her bedside when she died.
It was fortunate and a blessing both for herself and the Community that she was discharged from hospital on June 20 and she could spend her last few days in Tabor where she received attentive care and prayerful support to help her on her journey to God. She received outstanding attention from her G.P. Doctor Green and the Medical Centre during her final illness.
And so Sister Colette who lived a gentle, faithful life in the service of God to whom she had given herself totally nearly 60 years ago died peacefully on June 21 and met God in her own quiet way. May she rest in the Eternal love and peace of God.