Dominican Sister Berenice O’Keeffe died in Dublin on Thursday, December 7.
Berenice spent most of her life teaching and spent many years in Muckross Park College, where she was school principal.
Berenice had a lifelong interest in the arts and was a talented artist. She greatly enjoyed a sabbatical year in Rome, where she feasted her eyes on the wonder, beauty of one of the world’s great cities.
Her sister Sister Terence, also a Dominican sister, was novice mistress for a number of years. Her brother Edmond (Fr Gerard), who was two years younger, was a Dominican priest. The late Fr Kevin Condon OP, who died in 2021, was a first cousin.
Shortly after Newbridge College became coeducational she became a member of the staff at the school. Her brother Edmond had been at the school long before her, as he sat his Leaving Certificate Examination there in 1945.
Sister Berenice was a friendly affable woman. She was kind and had a great sense of humour.
On a stunning summer afternoon we met on the top of Connor Pass on the Dingle Peninsula. All I can remember was that I made a smart-aleck comment. Her response outmatched mine and was far smarter and cleverer. She smiled, knowing well she had won and off she went.
Apologies, this writer is limited in his knowledge of Sister Berenice, but over the years he has heard many fine words spoken about the woman.
She was born in Ballykearney in County Cork in 1925.
Her funeral Mass takes place in the convent chapel in Cabra on Monday, December 11 at 11am.
May she rest in peace.
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