SR PAULA BUCKLEY, one of the two Presentation Sisters who died tragically while swimming at Inch, Co Kerry last night, would have celebrated half a century as a nun on Sunday, it has emerged.
The 70-year-old had plans to mark the milestone with her family, friends and fellow sisters at an event early next month, according to a moving tribute this evening from the Presentation Sisters.
Sr Buckley and her fellow Presentation Sister Imelda Carew got into difficulty while swimming at Inch Strand yesterday evening at around 7pm.
They were taken from the water and airlifted to Kerry General Hospital in Tralee, where they later died.
They had been enjoying a holiday there.
Sr Buckley, a native of Camas, near Cashel Co Tipperary, had spent the last couple of years dedicating herself to prison ministry in Dublin.
For many years, however, she taught and offered career guidance in Presentation secondary schools throughout the south-east.
She is survived by her sister Marie, her brother-in-law, and a number of nephews and nieces.
There will be a celebration of her life at Requiem Mass in Cashel Parish Church at 12pm next Tuesday, followed by burial at Ardmayle Cemetery.
Sr Imelda Carew, 67, was another Tipperary woman, originally from Kilmore, near Dundrum.
She taught for many years in schools throughout the south-east, and was actively engaged in the justice ministry across Ireland and around the world.
She is survived by a wide extended family, including Sr Olivere, a Presentation sister in Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
Sr Carew’s life will be celebrated by Requiem Mass at 3pm on Sunday in Mountmellick Parish Church, followed by burial at Mountmellick Cemetery.
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