The death has occurred on Sunday 19th February 2017 of Sr Florence (Sheila) O’Sullivan, Drishane House, Millstreet, Cork / Rathmore, Kerry.
Sr Florence (Sheila), Infant Jesus Sister, peacefully at Drishane House, sister of the late Betty (Leane) and Joan. Sadly missed by her brothers Dan and John, sisters Mary (O’Leary), Sister Catherine (I.J.S.), Sister Eileen (Mercy), sister-in-law Hannah, brother-in-law Tom, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandniece, great-grandnephew, Infant Jesus Sisters and a wide circle of friends.
Reposing in Tarrant’s Funeral Home, Millstreet. Rosary tonight, Monday, at 8.15pm. Removal on Tuesday at 8pm to St. Patrick’s Church, Millstreet. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 12 noon followed by burial to Drishane Cemetery. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh sí.
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The following is an extract on Sr.Florence from the ijs.ie website:
“As we are trying to become reacquainted with Sister Florence in a new invisible form, the whole of nature explodes into life proclaiming the joy of resurrection. Messages continue to pour in, taking the edge off our grief and giving glimpses into the life of Sr. Florence as a friend and mentor, teacher and principal, member of the Infant Jesus Sisters and O’ Sullivan family. No words can express our appreciation of your prayers, attendance at the removal and Requiem Mass, testimonies, tributes, beautiful flowers and support of every kind. It is difficult to share all the messages and memories that have come from the different corners of the globe. Hopefully, the resume of the following eulogy, written by a friend and co-worker, expresses the best of what we can say about Sr. Florence. “The dawn of the 19th February 2017 brought a very sad day not only for the O’Sullivan family but for the Infant jesus Sisters.It was a day when a leading and visionary light of the community was dimmed. This person was a religious sister with great foresight and her name will forever be etched in history of all our Infant Jesus schools. Thousands worldwide will remember her with sincere love and affection: her name is Sister Florence O’Sullivan. This beautiful sister was a wonderful friend to me for over 40 years. I write this with great sadness over the unimaginable loss of a very close friend. I used to phone her often to keep up her spirits. She never lost her sense of humour.During her teaching years and as Principal of the Convent in Klang she worked tirelessly in the field of education and laid a strong foundation for all her students. She was an inspiration to so many. She was always very kind to the less fortunate families and their children.Throughout her time in Klang Convent, she strove to improve their lives and if she could have built a tower she’d make sure that the poor came out on top. Her beautiful spirit will live on through the many lives she taught and touched. I admired how she never judged or forced her opinions on anyone, but offered valuable and truthful advice that I will surely miss. It was such a comfortable and warm feeling to have known that we had such a lifetime friendship. My husband thought very highly of her and we shall always cherish the memories of her visits to our home and our trips to Ireland. My very dear Sr. Florence now rests in peace.” Flor’s response to all this would be: “You well know I aint no saint”! Yes, she was human after all, but, those of us who were gathered round her deathbed for the liturgy of her last fare well before entering Eternal Life, saw her do so with serenity and dignity. The presence of so many, offering support and comfort during the next three days, was a testimony of her love for others and her strong emotional bonds with friends and family as she lived her vocation as an Infant Jesus Sister. “I am the Resurrection and the Life.Whoever believes in Me will never die” John 11: 25-26. Catherine O’Sullivan IJS “
To our beloveth ex principal of Convent Klang, Selangor, Malaysia Sr Florence, who was called home on 19th Feb 2017.
As much as we are saddened by this news, we accept that your work is done on earth and its now time to rest and to be with the creator.
Our deepest condolence to the family members, esp Sr Catherine and Sr Rosemary.
We, Linda, Cindy, Chu Mooi & her two friends and myself, Belinda feel so honoured and privileged to have spent some precious time with Sr Florence during last summer(2016).
The joyful and heartening chats during that visit would remain a memory to be treasured forever.
Thank you Sr. Florence for your guidance during our high school. Rest in Peace.
It was indeed awesome and nostalgic to be able to reconnect after more than 4 decades.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences from all the ex students of Convent Of The Holy Infant Jesus, KLANG.
PS: Thanks to Sr Catherine and Sr Rosemary for coordinating the time for us to spend with Sr Florence. Thank you for the war hospitality and delicious cakes as well.
Love,
Belinda Tan
dear dear family of sr florence
my former teacher at form 3 bukit nana convent, possibly 1955, and who despite giving me hell (stand in corner, repeat and memorise passages scripture/literature, kept me back after school finished because there was a car waiting for elder brother .., despite and inspire of all that, i loved her dearly and will always love her. i share in a small way, your deep loss and feel for all of you, especially for sr catherine whom i also know very very and love dearly. annie ng !!
To the family of our dear Sr. Florence.
My sincere condolences. I am so glad to have been able to visit, together with Anne Ng and Sr. Catherine, in 1965 even if it were a brief visit in the hospital in Cork.
So many happy memories. I was a student in Bukit Nanas Convent in the Fourth Form, in 1966, when I had the privilege of being a pupil of Sr. Florence. I was also in her class the next year, Form 5, our school leaving year. Sr. Florence was so kind to me and I learnt a lot from her. We had many chats after school. Luckily, we had kept in touch over the years.
My heartfelt sympathies to you, her family, for your loss.
With lots of love and fond memories. God Bless.
Clare (aka Clara YAP Lee Chin)
The dawn of 19th February 2017 brought a very sad day to not only the O’Sullivan family in County Kerry but the Infant Jesus Sisters in Drishane House and throughout the world. It was a day when a
leading and visionary light of the community was dimmed and extinguished. This person was a religious sister with great foresight and forward planning and her name will forever be etched in history of all our Infant Jesus schools. Thousands worldwide will remember her with sincere love and affection: her name is Sister Florence O’Sullivan.
This beautiful Sister inside and out was a wonderful friend to me for over 40 years with her gentle
and caring nature. I write this with great sadness over the unimaginable loss of a very close friend to
cancer. She took each day in stride, never really complaining, feeling tired towards
her last days. I used to phone her often as I just wanted to keep her spirits up so I
always told her she would be okay. She never lost her sense of humour and her magnetic smile will
be missed by all who knew her.
During her teaching years and as Principal of the Convent in Klang she worked tirelessly in the field
of education and laid a strong foundation for all her students whom she came in contact with. She
wanted them to have a good life, full of her values and attitudes. She was an inspiration to so many.
She was always very kind to the less fortunate families and their children throughout her time in
Klang Convent, she strove to improve their lives and if she could have built a tower she’d make sure that the poor came out on top. She fed and clothed them and ensured they were given a basic education. Her beautiful spirit will live on through the many lives she taught and touched. This was her character, always willing to help others. Also, I admired how she never judged or forced her
opinions on anyone, but offered valuable and truthful advice that I will surely miss. I remember
many years ago when I was talking with her about something I was struggling with and she said,
‘look at me’ meaning that you never know in life so make change even though it’s tough and do the
things you want to do and dream about before it’s too late. Those three words came across so clear. She was my moral compass and my go-to helpdesk!
My closeness with Sr. Florence was something inside of us that was always there ready to be shared
with each other whenever the need arose. It was such a comfortable and warm feeling to have
known that we had such a lifetime friendship. My husband Clive thought very highly of her and we
shall always cherish the memories of her visits both to our home and in Ireland.
While words can never fully express how much someone means to us, language can still provide
comfort, solace, hope and even inspiration following the death of a loved one My very dear Sr.
Florence now rests in peace knowing she did all that she could. She was loving and real. I shall miss
her very much and she will always be with me in my heart.