Sr Mary Dominica Conaghan   died at Waratah NSW       4 April 2008

Marie Conaghan was born on 16 November 1916 at Rozelle, Sydney. Marie was the fourth child of James and Bridget. Her brothers were Murray, Jack and Hugh (all dec’d), her younger sister was Patricia (dec’d). After a recommendation from her uncle Rev Denis Conaghan the family sent Marie and Pat to board at Elm Court Moss Vale for their entire schooling. A gifted musician, Marie gained the award of the Licentiate of Music at the age of 15 and seemed destined for a career in music.

At the age of seventeen Marie entered the Dominican Order on 19 March 1934 and was professed as Sister Mary Dominica on 28 November 1936. Sister Mary Dominica was drawn to the Dominicans because of her ten years as a boarder and the example of the Sisters. In her own words Dominica observed “the Sisters’ evident joy in community living”. Some of the many Sisters who influenced Dominica were Mother Benvenuta and Sisters Mary Jordan, St Luke and Barbara. 

In her Dominican life, Dominica taught piano to many young people and prepared choral music. Her great love was classroom teaching, where she endeared herself to her pupils, particularly when she taught Grades 5 and 6 at St Dominic’s Camberwell Victoria and senior students at Siena Convent. Siena Convent Camberwell retained a special place in Dominica’s heart because of her many friends, ex-students and the Dominican Fathers. 

Many ministries in our schools followed – St Dominic’s Tamworth, San Clemente Mayfield, Elm Court Moss Vale and again at Siena Camberwell. Dominica was appointed on a number of different occasions to each of these convents where students and ex-students rejoiced in her warmth and interest. Dominica was Prioress (Community Superior) at San Clemente, Signadou Canberra and Siena Camberwell. Her leadership was broad minded, hospitable and compassionate.

After retirement from school education, Dominica volunteered to be a presence at San Miguel, a special work for homeless women, children and those in need. Dominica also spent time at the Redemptorists’ Centre at Galong and in community at Prouille Wahroonga and at Santa Sabina.

Dominica cherished her Conaghan and Lynch families and was always interested in the lives of their children and grandchildren. Sr Mary Dominica’s last years were marked by illness, with all its frustrations, in residence at St Martin’s and Bethel aged care facilities Waratah.

We remember and give thanks for Dominica’s keen sense of humour, her generous loving nature, her thoughtful presence to so many friends, ex-students, her beloved family and her Dominican Sisters who have walked with her for seventy-four years. 

We have been enriched by Dominica’s life of generous and loving fidelity. May she rest in peace. 

Motto - “Freely Give”

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