Posted on: 13 June 2025

Author:Sister Joan Kerley

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FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF ST. JOSEPH
YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL
OF
SISTER MAUREEN FRANCIS O’DRISCOLL
Who died in Franciscan Convent, Blackburn on 11th June 2025.

Maureen was born on the 20th June 1952 to Jeremiah Bernard O’Driscoll and his wife Norah, one of seven children. Her four brothers and two sisters were able to be with her during the final days of her life.

Maureen entered the novitiate in Broughton Hall on 24th February 1984 and made first profession in September the following year. Before joining the congregation she worked as a dental assistant. She was attracted to join us through admiration of our ministry as Rescue Sisters caring for children in need of special care. She loved the idea of becoming a nurse and joyfully found her vocation ministry when Francis House Hospice for sick children opened.

When she finished her novitiate she trained to be a nurse in Withington Hospital and then as a children’s nurse in Booth Hall Hospital in preparation for working in the children’s hospice. Maureen’s passion for nursing and caring for sick children did not diminish in over 30 years in the children’s hospice and later the residential home for sick teenagers known as 463, formerly Mount Carmel. Maureen(known to the children as Mo) was praised for embodying the ethos of Francis House and was considered part of the Hospice’s heritage (see “A Worthwhile Error” page 46). Single-minded, hardworking, dedicated, loving and always kind Maureen gave her all to the welfare of the children. Although she preferred by far to be hands- on with the sick she was also an excellent administrator.

Maureen was asked to be part of the pre-chapter team in 1998. She served on the formation team, became community leader in Didsbury in 2011 and served as safeguarding representative for UK since 2017, applying for compulsory police checks (DBS) for all active members in the UK.

Prayerful, devout and always polite Maureen loved her faith and delighted when she came across fellow Catholics. She was an active member of St. Joseph’s Parish, Stockport helping with the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) programme, as a reader and as part of a team that delivered short courses on Catholic topics such as the Rosary.

Maureen had not been feeling well for some time and was eventually given a diagnosis of cancer. Throughout her illness she was patient, uncomplaining and grateful for any help given.

Funeral details will follow.

MAY SHE REST IN PEACE