Sr. Cecilia O'Neill sscc, died in Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, Dublin on Friday January 11th 2013.

Cecilia was born in Dysart, Co. Clare on the November 22nd 1942. She attended the local primary school and left home for the Presentation Secondary School in Youghal, Co Cork. She joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts in 1959, completing her novitiate in 1961in Weymouth, Dorset, England. She pronounced her final vows in Rome on August the 2nd 1966.

Cecilia was a much loved member of the Sacred Hearts Community. She was the life and soul of every gathering and blessed with a lively spirit and a wonderful sense of humour.

She trained in Institutional Management in Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin. Her first assignment was to our school in Weymouth. In 1972 she became House Manager in Belcamp College Boarding school in Dublin run by the Oblate Fathers.  In 1990 she found her vocation as a highly competent addiction counsellor who helped numerous people in their journey towards sobriety and freedom.

Almost 20 years ago Cecilia received a kidney transplant and enjoyed a good quality of life for some years. Unfortunately ill-health necessitated much hospitalization and many different treatments. This she bore with utmost patience and serenity.

With the constant care and the support of a wonderful family and her community, Cecilia battled and bore all with great dignity and endurance.  In 2006 she experienced serious health difficulties which restricted her ability to be available for work. Despite these difficulties she remained dedicated with a generous heart whenever her health permitted her to be available for work. She was remarkably patient and good humoured despite the great challenges that her ill health presented.

In October she was admitted to the Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, and was finally called home to the Lord. As she lived her life so did she surrender her life with great dignity and peacefulness.

Her remains were brought to her community home in Northbrook Road where a great many friends and those to whom she had ministered came to pay their respects.  On Sunday January 13th her funeral Mass was concelebrated by several of our Sacred Hearts brothers and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Sacred Heart Church, Sruleen, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. That evening her remains were transferred to Dysart, Co. Clare where she was buried following her funeral Mass concelebrated by several priests on January 14th. May she rest in peace.