"I knew Sister Mary Agnes from the library at St. Philomena School in Portsmouth, RI. She was a wonderful lady -- thoughtful, kind, and carrying a joy and peace from the vocation to which she dedicated her life. That joy was evident in her warm and cheerful smile every time I saw her. I miss her, but am grateful I had the chance to know her, and am sure that she is now being welcomed with infinite love by Jesus, whom she loved so well."
In loving memory of
Sr. Mary Agnes O'Brien, FCJ
April 14, 1918 - August 1, 2010
Portsmouth, RI - Sister Mary Agnes OBrien, FCJ, 92, of St. Philomena Convent, Portsmouth, RI, formerly of Fitchburg, MA and Providence, RI, died Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Grand Islander Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. Born Bridget Mary Teresa OBrien in County Limerick, Ireland on April 14, 1918, she was the third of seven children of Patrick and Mary OBrien OBrien: all of whom are now deceased. She is survived by her dearly beloved niece Mary Hartnett and nephew Michael OCallaghan and some cousins all of whom live in Ireland.Sister Mary Agnes attended the local elementary school in her home town and then was a boarder with the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus at St. Marys Convent in Bruff, County Limerick. In September 1935 she became a postulant with the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus at the international novitiate in Brussels, Belgium where she made first vows on April 4, 1938. Three months later she was missioned to the United States. She taught at St. Josephs School in Fitchburg MA until 1948 when she was sent to Blessed Sacrament Covent in Providence RI and to teach at St. Patricks High School until 1954. From there she returned to Fitchburg where she taught middle school students for two decades. In 1974 she came to St. Philomena School for a year before returning to Fitchburg to serve as principal of St. Josephs School for seven years. Here final missioning brought her back to Portsmouth where she continued to be active giving religious instruction in St. Anthonys parish and serving as an aide in the library at St. Philomena School.Sister Mary Agnes will be deeply missed by the religious Sisters in her community as well as by all those who experienced her strong faith and beautiful smile. We are especially grateful to the staff of the Homestead Unit at the Grand Islander Center for their loving care of Sr. Agnes.Calling hours will be held on Wednesday. August 4, 2010, from 5-8 in St. Philomena School chapel, 324 Coreys Lane, Portsmouth, RI with a prayer service at 7PM.Her funeral will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010, at 10:00 am in St. Philomena School Auditorium, 324 Coreys Lane, Portsmouth.Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.
Tributes
"I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Sister Mary Agnes. She was my first grade teacher at St. Joseph's school in Fitchburg. I have very fond memories of her and will always have fond memories of her"
"I will always remember Sr. Mary Agnes. My mother, Lucy Sunderland, and I would go to mass at St. Phil's whenever I visited home we are military. For some reason, Sr. Mary Agnes stood out to me. She was very kind and loving. Her spirit lives on in our hearts. We know she is with Our Lord whom she adored and devoted her life to. May she rest in peace. I pray we meet again in heaven. With heartfelt sympathy to all her family and friends, Laura Logan"
"Sr. Mary Agnes was a precious, loving and dedicated Sister at St.Philomena School. My three sons were very fortunate and blessed to have been in her inspiring and generous presence, for she was so kind and giving to the children and parents -ALWAYS! She always appeared cheerful, energetic and appreciative. May her soul rest in peace. Respectfully, The Kraper Family"
"I had the pleasure of taking care of Sr. Mary Agnes @ Grand Islander Health Care Center for some time. She always told us of how strict she was when she was teaching but this was definitely an attribute I never observed. She was always kind, thoughful, and thankful for anything that you did for her. And let's not forget that award winning smile. Everyone there enjoyed her sense of humor that she never lost touch with. I will so miss seeing Sr. Mary Agnes lead our rosary, which she often did. Whenever staff would help her with anything @ all she would say " The lord sent you" when it was actually the Lord who sent her to us. I know she is in a better place, but will be dearly missed nevertheless."
"Sr. Mary Agnes, may she RIP, will certainly be missed. Her calming personality, smile and willingness to serve/help however and wherever needed was exemplary. She is certainly in a much a better place."
"Sister Mary Agnes O'Brien was my eighth grade teacher at St. Joseph School in Fitchburg, MA during the school year 1943-1944. What I remember most about her are two things: I lived across the street from the Convent at 92 Columbus Street and I met her at the gate every morning to carry her bag. The second, and most important thing, she dictated to us a special prayer: "Hail and blessed..." which we were to recite 60 times a day from the Feast of St. Andrew - November 30th to Christmas. Believe it or not, I have recited that prayer ALL my life and I am almost 80! although now the leaflet says to recite it 15 times a day. I corresponded with Sr. Mary Agnes. She was the best teacher I had at St. Joseph's. May she rest in peace. Theresa Cote"
"We will all miss Sister Mary Agnes Mother Agnes, as we knew her as we miss all the wonderful FCJ's at the old St. Patrick's High School in Providence. Pat Lariviere D'Ambrosio - Class of 1955" Providence, RI"
"I always remember, in my prayers, the FCJ sisters from my grammar school days at St. Joseph's, in Fitchburg MA. They taught me well. They were the most perfect persons ever put on this earth. Mother Mary AgnesCrabby Aggie, as she once told us, that she knew some of the children use to call her by that nick name, was strict and loving, as any teacher and nun could be. I'm sure that GOD has a special place for her in heaven. Roger Godin"