The peaceful passing occurred on September 13, 2015, of Sr. Monica, a well-known and highly regarded figure, who in recent years served as Chaplain at South West Acute Hospital.

Sr. Monica was born to Jim and Kathleen Gallagher in the picturesque world of Boho, on October 12, 1944. She was christened Annie Kathleen but known to all her family and friends as Kitty. Her childhood was a happy one, surrounded by a loving family, comprising her parents, her five sisters – Mary, Margaret, Sheila, Joan, Eileen – and her four brothers – Eamonn, Joe, Peter and Sean.

Her education in Boho and in Mt. Lourdes helped form her decision to join the Sisters of Mercy in the Convent, Enniskillen. She quickly threw herself into this new life with youthful exuberance, full of fun and liveliness, yet deeply serious and committed.

Monica’s many talents blossomed as she followed a course in Home Economics in Dublin. A gifted needlewoman and cook, she brought much joy and kindness to the resident clergy and the young students in St. Michael’s College, her first assignment.

Monica’s next ministry was in St. Mary’s, Drumcar, where she became a registered nurse in caring for the “special needs” young people. Here, her natural affinity for the sick took root, and was to prove the guiding lodestar of her life. Nothing was good enough for the sick, so she pursued her professional training as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (St. John of God, Stillorgan), Registered General Nurse (Mater Hospital, Dublin) and Registered Midwife (Erne Hospital, Enniskillen). In all these spheres she brought the highest standards to her unselfish nursing care.

From 1990 to 1997, Sr. Monica was Manager of St. Macartan’s Home, Clogher, where she ensured that the elderly were treated with kindness and respect.

On her return to hospital work in St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, she graduated in clinical supervision, and followed a two year part-time course in pastoral spirituality. Her care was for the whole person, whether in a hospital, at home or in the local Convent, where she was community leader from 2009 to 2014.

In 2013, Monica was appointed to the South West Acute Hospital as Chaplain. It was here that she was able to use her many gifts in helping the sick and dying come to peace and acceptance. The stories told at her wake were truly inspiring, as many spoke of how she helped themselves and their relatives through difficult times. In her short time in the hospital Monica had accomplished much, and it seemed as if she had just begun her major life’s work.

When God’s call came for herself in this summer of 2015, it seemed incredible that someone so dynamic was dying. Her own deep faith which she had shared with so many shone forth in herself as her end approached, and she slipped away to her God peacefully on September 13, 2015.

Sr. Monica was waked in the Convent, Enniskillen, and the house was thronged with the many sympathisers. The Removal of Remains on Tuesday, September 15 was celebrated by Monsignor Peter O’Reilly, joined by her family, friends, the Sisters of Mercy – local and provincial - and a guard of honour formed by the Nursing Staff and Midwifery Staff from the South West Acute Hospital, and the pupils from St. Fanchea’s and Mount Lourdes.

Boho welcomed Monica home, and she was received into the Sacred Heart Church by Rev. Joe McVeigh. Her Funeral Eucharist was celebrated by V.Rev. J. McPhillips, assisted by Monsignor Peter O’Reilly and Rev. Joe McVeigh, who gave the homily.

The sun filtered through as the cortege wound its way to Monica’s final resting-place in Boho cemetery, and the strains of the Salve Regina filled the air.