Sr Eithne Mac Devitt OLA, died peacefully at Ardfoyle Convent on Friday 17 July 2026.
We remember her with gratitude and share here the words spoken in remembrance of Sr Eithne, offering an opportunity to reflect on her life, her vocation and the many people whose lives she touched.
Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday, 20 July in Ardfoyle, and the words below were shared by Sr Janet Nutakor, DIstrict Coundillor.
Good afternoon, and welcome everyone.
We are gathered here today to thank God and to bid farewell to Sr. Eithne MacDevitt—a remarkable woman who lived her missionary life to the full and truly believed that mission is a thing of the heart. Possessing a true missionary heart, she went out and gave herself in love to others.
We now entrust her to God as she goes to her final resting place. There, she will rejoin her parents, Agnes and Joseph; her stepmother, Nora; her brothers, Ruairi, Kevin, and Brugha; and her sisters, Fedelma and Crona.
A warm welcome to Eithne’s sisters, Sheila and Nuala, who are joining us via webcam. We also welcome her brothers-in-law, Peter, Mick, David, and Tony; her sisters-in-law, Mary and Judy; and all the nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends joining us today. We are equally grateful for the presence of our OLA Sisters and our dedicated Infirmary staff. Thank you all for being here, and for the enduring love, patience, compassion, and tenderness with which you cared for Eithne.
We also welcome and thank the SMA Fathers for their presence, and we extend a special welcome to Fr. Micheal McCabe, our chief celebrant.
I would like to acknowledge the many emails and letters of condolence that we have received from Nigeria, Ireland, and beyond.
While we are naturally sad to see such a fine woman taken from us, we remain profoundly grateful for her beautiful, vibrant, and fruitful 77 years of OLA missionary life. We give thanks for the deep impact she made on so many people, especially in Nigeria, Ghana, London, Rome, and here in Ireland, as we bid farewell to her today.
Eithne was born in Ballincurra, Co. Limerick, in 1931. At a young age, having encountered the OLAs and SMAs, she felt a strong desire to become a missionary. She entered Ardfoyle on the 6th of September 1949 and made her first profession in 1952.
She received her teacher training at Digby Stuart College in London, after which she earned her degree in English and History from University College Cork. Later, she completed theological studies at the Gregorian University in Rome and returned to Nigeria in 1975, where she taught for some time at Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary in Ibadan.
She was later assigned to teach at St. Teresa’s College, Ibadan, and then at Our Lady’s Secondary School, Ijebu-Ode.
As a teacher and missionary, her influence extended far beyond the walls of the classroom. She was an exceptionally creative person who taught music, developed beautiful choirs, and directed student plays. She was not just an educator spending her days guiding students through English grammar and world history; her deepest desire was to help young people find their voice and understand their place in a changing society.
Eithne offered her students both knowledge and curiosity, nurturing in them a sense of future possibilities. Her gentle presence brought stability, compassion, and hope to the entire school environment. During her time in Ibadan, she requested a plot of land from a local chief, who generously gave it to her as a gift. Later, a church was built on that site and named St. Eunan’s—reflecting both her religious name at the time and the Donegal diocese with which she was so deeply connected.
Eithne also devoted many years to the ministry of Formation. In Du, Jos, Northern Nigeria, she served as one of the founding staff members, training religious sisters to become formators. At Maryhill, Ibadan, she spent a significant part of her life guiding young women as they discerned and prepared for religious life. With a calm, compassionate presence, she nurtured their growth in faith, self-understanding, and mission.
Her gift of discernment and deep trust in God’s unfolding work helped many young women discover their true vocation. She facilitated assemblies, offered spiritual guidance, and led retreats for novices and sisters. Many Sisters in Nigeria today trace their vocation back to Sr. Eithne—to her kindness, her deep faith, and her vibrant witness to OLA missionary life.
As a dedicated historian and formator, she committed herself to preserving the authentic history of the OLA Congregation. Her work ensured that new generations of sisters fully grasp the spirituality, courage, zeal, and audacity of our founder; Fr. Planque. Through extensive research and writing, she documented the immense sacrifices of the early sisters. This legacy is beautifully captured in her book, And Their Clock Fell on Us. She also gifted us the story of her own missionary life in her memoir, The Uncharted Road.
In addition to her mission abroad, she was a valued member of the Provincial Team here in Ireland. Her leadership was gentle, wise, and deeply human. She returned to oversee mission and eventually returned home to Ardfoyle in 2014.
Sr. Eithne’s life story falls beautifully into three chapters: Teacher and Historian, Administrator, and Formator & Spiritual Guide.
We thank God for her life and mission, her great simplicity, warmth, and kindness. We trust that she will rest forever in God’s Reign of Love and Peace. Eithne, may you now enjoy the Mystery which you spent your whole life searching for. Amen.
I will now hand you over to Fr. Micheal McCabe, SMA, who will lead us in our Eucharistic celebration.