Nun who touched lives with her humour, wisdom and inspiration

On March 5 the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary lost a valued and much loved member of their community. Sr. Rita Shalvey passed away peacefully in St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown following a relatively short illness borne with dignity, fortitude and hope. Throughout her almost 90 years she touched many lives with her humour, wisdom and inspiration.

Rita was born on March 28, 1936 to Charles and Bridget Shalvey, Dernakesh, Cootehill and was the youngest of 11 children. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers - Joe, Austin, Victor, Brendan, Tony, Vincent, Jim, and Leo and her sisters - Mairín Fanning and Aggie Clarke. She is survived by her Holy Rosary Community in Bettystown, Raheny and Cavan, her sister-in-law Phyllis, her many nephews and nieces and her dear cousin Patsy McCaughey.

Rita was educated in Dernakesh National School and Holy Faith Convent, Dublin before taking up employment in Land Registry. In September 1958 she answered her calling to religious life and joined the Holy Rosary Convent in Killeshandra. She made her first profession in April 1961 and received her final profession on June 1, 1965 when she took the religious name Sr Elizabeth.

She trained as a nurse/midwife and later qualified as a Community Health Visitor. Rita loved people and from her early days on mission she worked in community health. In the 1960s it was the time of the under-five clinics. As a team member in the community service Rita helped to develop health care in Cameroon, in Zambia and later in South Africa where her work was mainly with refugees. When the refugees got the chance to return to Mozambique she went with them to help with their re-settlement.

In 2000 Rita returned to Ireland where she availed of a course in Pastoral Leadership in All Hallows College, Dublin. This led her into pastoral work in Bathgate, Scotland and later in the parish of Christ the King in Coventry where she was very active visiting the housebound and being involved in the Pastoral Care Group and Bereavement Group. She was instrumental in helping to start the Community lunch and the Warm Zone. No matter what the problem in community health or pastoral care, Rita always had time for the person who came to seek her ear.

In May 2023, after fourteen years in Coventry, Rita retired to the Holy Rosary Community in Bettystown, across the road from the beach. Grateful for the sea, for walks on the beach, for the lawn, for the shrubs and for the birds, Rita retained a positive outlook to the end. She got energy from the wonders of creation, from all things that grow. Care of the earth became one of her concerns. She was sad at the way human beings could destroy it.

In May 2024 the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary celebrated the Centenary of the Order’s inception at Drumully House in Killeshandra in March 1924. Rita was delighted to be able to attend the celebrations and to meet up with other Sisters from Ireland and Africa and friends and benefactors.

Rita never forgot her Cavan roots. She followed the fortunes of Cavan football and the Irish Rugby team. Last summer Cavan were beaten away by Kerry. She thought it was unfair that Cavan had to travel that distance and reckoned ‘Next time we’ll be stronger’! James Lowe was her favourite Irish rugby player.

A few weeks before her death, while she was receiving treatment in hospital, she received a video message from James wishing her well and thanking her for her support of the Irish team.

Family was a very important part of Rita’s life. She looked forward to and enjoyed visits from family and had a keen interest in what was going on in her native Maudabawn. In times of personal struggles, she found words to inspire and encourage those around her.

During the last few weeks Rita’s health declined to the extent that she needed hospital treatment. As hospital visits became routine she was thankful for all the help – the oncology team in the Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the volunteer drivers enabling her to be her resolute best; the nurses and staff in Silverstream Care home in Duleek; the nurses and staff in St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown; her fellow Sisters and especially her two nieces, Betty Clarke and Mary Fanning.

Rita’s funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr. Tom Farrell, who travelled from Coventry along with Sr. Julieana, and Fr. Denis McNelis, P.P. Laytown in St. Brendan’s Church, Coolock on March 10 followed by burial in Dardistown Cemetery, Dublin.

A woman with a grá for the Irish language and culture, she will be dearly missed by all. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.