Sadness in Derry following death of nun who devoted over 60 years to the city

The city is mourning the loss of a local nun who devoted over 60 years in Religious Life and Service in the Derry area.

Sr. Carmel (Bridgie Guinan) passed away peacefully on Friday (September 12) in the loving care of the staff of Daleview Nursing Home in the city.

Sr. Carmel, born in Co Tipperary in 1929, entered Good Shepherd Sister on February 9 1955, received the habit on September 8 1955 and was professed in 1957. She was appointed to Derry on September 8 1961 and has been in the city since.

A death notice stated that Sr. Carmel was the 'daughter of the late Terence and Nora, formerly of Rathcabbin, Co. Tipperary.

'Beloved sister of the late Lil Brennan, Maggie Kelly, Sr. Pius (Kathleen) RSM, John, Tessie McAuliffe, Paddy and Sr. Marie Therese (Celine) OCD.

'Deeply regretted by her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and a wide circle of relatives and friends. Sorely missed by her sorrowing community of Good Shepherd Sisters in Derry and throughout Ireland.'

Sr. Carmel’s remains will be reposing at the Good Shepherd Convent Oratory, 38 Dungiven Road today (Saturday, September 14) from 4.30pm - 8.30pm. Her remains will leave the Convent Oratory on Sunday at 5.15pm for 5.30pm arrival to St. Columb’s Church, Chapel Road to repose overnight.

Her Requiem Mass will then take place on Monday, September 15 at 10.00am. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ardmore.

Sr. Carmel celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in September 2017 with a special Mass for family and friends at Dromantine Retreat Centre, Newry celebrated by Fr. Michael Canny.

Speaking during the service, Fr. Michael Canny said: “Sr Carmel, over 60 years ago, in faith and guided by others of faith, you choose to dedicate your life to listening to the voice of God and living out that call as a member of the Good Shepherd Sisters.

“That decision to leave family, friends and home on February 8 1955 brought you to Limerick, Cork, a domestic science course in Dublin and back to Limerick where with six others sisters you made your final vows.

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“On September 8 1961 your "Yes" to God's plan found you being appointed to the Good Shepherd Convent in Derry where you have remained since.Each religious community has its own identity. The stories of sisters who have gone before, its saints and traditions have helped to make you the special person that we all know you to be.

“Your time spent in prayer and in your work in St Mary's in Derry, and in more recent years as chaplain at Altnagelvin Hospital has been your living out of that initial "yes" you said when you left home in Tipperary all those years ago.”