Lest We Forget
Sister Bernadette Quigley, CSJP (1913-2011)
Elizabeth Quigley (Sr. Bernadette) was born in Birr, Co. Offaly on March 26 1913. She was the fifth of eight children born to John and Elizabeth Quigley. She had three brothers and four sisters one of whom, Carmel is still living. On February 2, 1933 Elizabeth responded to God’s call and left Ireland to come to Mapperley Road, Nottingham to join the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. Her older sister, Ambrosia, Ita (Sr. Aquinas) had already joined the Sisters. Sr. Bernadette made her Final Profession in 1939.
Bernadette served in many capacities over the years. Her first mission was Leicester where she spent six happy years as a young Sister in an inner city convent and parish. She moved from there to St. Hugh’s Convent, Cleethorpes which was a rather large convent and the Sisters there ran a small hospital/nursing home offering medical care to local people as well as our own sick Sisters.. This was a busy convent and particularly so, over the summer months when priests home on holidays came to the Convent to celebrate Mass. Family and friends accompanied them and afterwards enjoyed coffee and a chat. In 1948 Sr. Bernadette moved to St. Peter’s Seminary Scotland, and helped in the household responsibilities. From there Bernadette moved to Colston Bassett, a Diocesan Home for children. Here she developed a great love for young children and decided to pursue studies to fit her for this work. On completion of her studies she moved to St. Francis Xavier Convent, Grimsby and served for many years in the Kindergarten at St. Francis Xavier’s School which was run by the Sisters. When the Convent School closed Bernadette moved back to Leicester to St. Joseph’s Convent and served as a nursery nurse at Wyvern Avenue Infants School. After some years she moved to the post of deputy Matron at a Social Services Day Nursery where she continued until her retirement. Being still pretty fit and active and being a very sociable person Bernadette decided to volunteer time in the local St. Joseph’s Parish. She acted as sacristan and also worked at the repository where she got to know people very well. She became part of the Chaplaincy team at the Towers Hospital and General Hospital Leicester and also visited the sick in their own homes and in local care homes.
Bernadette enjoyed life. In St. Joseph’s Parish she never missed the ‘Golden Hour’, a weekly social event in the parish hall. As well as an afternoon’s entertainment this social group organised outings to various places of interest and Bernadette participated in these events. Bernadette was very interested in gardening and delighted in growing flowers. She spent many happy hours in her garden.
Over her long years Bernadette endeared herself to many people. She made friends everywhere she lived and many of them kept in touch long after she had moved on. When incapacity finally overtook her Bernadette graciously accepted the invitation to retire to Tabor, where she would receive the care and attention she would need. Even here a few dear friends occasionally make the trek out to see her.
Bernadette was a woman of great faith and prayer. Many years ago Bernadette wrote: “My hopes are to be able to give my services for a long time to come, hopefully God will give me the health and strength I need”. God has truly blessed her with a long and fulfilling life. We thank God for her life. She died peacefully on Tuesday August 30, 2011. We pray that she is now enjoying the love and care of God who was always at the centre of her life. May she rest in peace.