Sister Patricia Corcoran (Elizabeth of Portugal)
Patricia, (Trish) born 17th March 1942, in Skerries, Co Dublin, a small fishing village and farming town, the second of three children, Billy two years older and Betty one year younger. Her mother died very young with TB and the two and half year-old Patricia was taken care of by her maternal grandmother until she died when Patricia was sixteen. Much appreciation and gratitude for the love and care of her grandmother was always on Patricia’s lips. To quote her own words “My grandmother was a very loving person, very religious, a daily Mass goer, who brought us up in her own way.” It was during her secondary school days with the Holy Faith Sisters, that she had contact with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. She arrived in Hastings, England, in 1959 to start the Novitiate. At First Profession she received the name Sister Elizabeth of Portugal.
Following her profession Patricia was sent to Cork University where she studied French, Maths and Irish. Her mind was sharp and alert: nothing got past her. She was intelligent and somewhat laid back with regard to study. She wasn’t at all ambitious and would come out of an exam hall when she knew she had enough for a pass! Her teaching ministry spanned both Secondary and Primary School, with her first mission to St Ethelburga’s, Deal, where she enjoyed teaching French and Maths to A and O level students. From 1967 to 1982 she taught French, Maths and Religion in Notre Dame Secondary School Dublin, after which she had 3 years in Chew Magna, Bristol and one year in Sacred Heart Wealdstone.
Patricia’s dream of going on overseas mission was realised when she was missioned to Kenya in 1986 but unfortunately for health reasons she returned to the Province after a year. When recovered she became Headmistress of the Junior School in Dublin where she enjoyed three years with younger children. She was respected and loved and will be remembered with gratitude by both pupils, teachers and parents whose lives she touched during these years.
From 2003, she spent six years helping in the archives in Rome, followed by two years in Philippines teaching English to Sisters preparing for study and for the Final Vows programme. Her expertise in teaching English was put to good use over the years. She loved Ireland and her hope was to be missioned back there. However, when she returned to the Province she was missioned to Sturry where she continued to teach English to Sisters learning English. In 2014, Patricia spent a short time in New Southgate Community in London and from there she was delighted to be missioned back to Dublin where she continued teaching English to students.
Patricia was innocent and without guile. She was loved and made friends easily. She had a way of connecting with people all over the world. Friendship and communication was important to her and this enabled her to enter into the hearts of so many people. Her resourcefulness was shown when using technology and her computer skills enabled her to create and make various beautiful cards which she sold to help with the mission fund.
Gradually it became apparent that Patricia’s health was failing and when it was identified that she suffered from a serious illness – Frontotemporal disorder (FTD) – she joined St Anne’s Community in Sturry to avail of the necessary help and care she required. The last years of life was difficult and in her physically vulnerable and non-verbal state her expression showed her gratitude to Sisters and staff who lovingly cared for her. God called Patricia on 13th November 2022.
Patricia’s funeral Mass was held at St Anne’s, Sturry on 28th November 2022, celebrated by Bishop Hugh Allan O’Praem, Abbot of the Norbetines, and Vicar for Religious in Southwark Diocese. Members of Patricia’s family were there to say their final earthly farewell; Betty her sister and son Ed from Canada; Bill, her brother, wife Yvonne and daughter Claire from Oxfordshire; Una Rutledge and Charita Mountgomery from Dublin; Carmel Looby and Brigid Quinn from Wealdstone; Kathleen McGuire, Roseann Hamill and Anna Dennehy from Deal; the members of St Anne’s, and Euphrasie Barbier Communities. For the many who were unable to attend, the Mass was streamed.
Farewell Trish, you will be missed.
Suaimhneas Siorrai da h-anam dilis
(Eternal rest and happiness to her dear soul)