Sr. Frances Carley, a member of the Presentation Sisters, died peacefully in the presence of her community and friends in Shalom Nursing Home, Kilcock, on Tuesday, October 20th. She spent the ten years before her final illness in Bagenalstown Presentation Convent.
Sr. Frances was born in Killeshandra, Co. Cavan in August 27, one of five children. She was educated at the Cross and Passion Secondary School in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, after which she entered the Novitiate in Presentation Convent, Portadown in l945. She did teacher training in Sedgely Park, Manchester and then achieved a B.A. degree at University College, Dublin. From that time, 1954, her whole life was dedicated to teaching the children of Portadown. She was first in Presentation Primary school and then, when St. Brigid’s Secondary school was opened in the town in l967, she was one of the first teachers on the staff there. St. Brigid’s was amalgamated with St. Malachy’s, the De la Salle Boys’ Secondary school in 1985 to form Drumcree High School and Sr. Frances finished out her teaching career there until her retirement in l994.
Sr. Frances was a born teacher and she committed herself wholeheartedly to the students. She was beloved by both staff and students. She worked tirelessly, day after day, year after year, to ensure that her students achieved their highest potential. She taught History, English to all years and R.E. to A. level. Many of her R.E. students followed her example and are now teachers themselves, continuing the good work which they learned from a first class teacher and mentor. She inspired many other teachers in her day and was deeply involved to In-Service Training with her colleagues, aiding and supporting them in delivering the R.E. curriculum.
Alongside her teaching was her great devotion to prayer. She was deeply involved in prayer meetings and her influence was felt far and wide. Her teaching was imbued with this spirit of prayer, as indeed was all of her life of devoted service as a Presentation Sister. When Sr. Frances retired in l994 she took a well earned sabbatical in C.T.U. Chicago. A three month trip to the Holy Land was part of this programme and she entered into this with every fibre of her being. It was the culmination of her many years of studying and teaching Sacred Scripture and she was totally renewed by the experience. On returning from her sabbatical she spent one year in the Community in Kilcock and then she went to Bagenalstown where she spent the next ten years. She was always the teacher and her years were spent helping in the school, teaching English to small groups and individuals. In later years her time was spent teaching those for whom English was not their first language. As always, this was done with great zeal and commitment.
In summer 2008, because of failing health, she came to the Presentation Sisters Nursing Home in Kilcock. She accepted her illness with great strength and dignity. She even found time to teach English to some of the staff – she was a teacher to the end!
Sr. Frances will be sadly missed by her family, her Community, and her many, many friends. May she rest in peace.
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