Aylward, Sr Francis Clare
December 25, 2009The death took place in England recently of Sr. Francis Clare Aylward, formerly of Knockmoylan, Mullinavat.
Born over 93 years ago. Kathleen Aylward was a sister of the late Senator Bob Aylward and aunt of Dáil Deputy Bobby Aylward and Liam Aylward, MEP. She was the last surviving member of her generation, having been predeceased by her three sisters and five brothers.
A Sister of Charity of St. Paul the Apostle and based mainly in Birmingham, Sr. Francis Clare first entered the religious life in 1933, taking her final vows two years later.
She trained as a teacher and taught at a number of schools in the mid-west of England during her career. In 1954, she left her post as a Headmistress to pursue missionary work in the Diocese of Pretoria in South Africa on behalf of her Order. There she founded a school and hospital for native Africans and established the Sisters of St. Brigid, a native diocesan congregation which continues its work to this day.
After spending six happy years in South Africa, she returned to England to attend the University of London where she was awarded a Diploma in Special Education. She subsequently took up duty at the noted Croome Court where she was appointed Headmistress of the boarding school which catered for the needs of nearly two hundred boys with special education needs. As a result of her pioneering work at the school, she received a coveted Churchill Scholarship from the Queen Mother in 1969 which enabled Sister Francis Clare to undertake an extensive study trip to review the various approaches and techniques used in Special Education in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
In 1970 she was appointed Headmistress at a school in Coventry and during her 10 year period there, she was conferred with a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Warwick. She retired from fulltime teaching nearly thirty years ago but she continued to serve on the governing bodies of a number of schools including Newman College of Education from which she received an Honourary Life Fellowship for her lifelong and distinguished service to Catholic Education. She also continued her responsibility for her congregation's mission in education for many years afterwards.
Although Kathleen Aylward left Knockmoylan to begin her introduction to the religious life in 1929, she returned to visit her family there every year while her health would allow. She maintained her strong links with her beloved South Kilkenny and through frequent letters from 'home' and her reading of the Kilkenny People every week, she kept abreast of the developments and events in her native county.
Sr. Francis Clare bore the traditional hallmark of a true Kilkenny woman- she was particularly enthusiastic about hurling! She followed the fortunes of the old Carrickshock GAA club and latterly, the ballyhale Shamrocks with which her nephews and grandnephews have become synonymous over the years. Of course, she was also avid of the County hurling team and took great delight in their victories throughout the years.
Kathleen was born towards the end of the year of the 1916 Rising and during her childhood, she was immersed in a deeply political household which took its active side in the War of Independence. She witnessed the subsequent milestones of Ireland's modern history and her eventual evolution of statehood.
Throughout her long life, she was a keen observer of Irish politics and kept herself on the 'inside track' by correspondence and conversation with her brother, Bob, her nephews, and her grand-nephew. She herself chose to spend her life's work in the devoted service of the Lord but she was always quick to acknowledge the value of public service and was proud that so many members of her family had embraced that role.
An immensely spiritual woman, Sr. Francis Clare was possessed of a deep and abiding faith and a clear wisdom which recognised the 'pearl of great price' in every human being. She was especially keen to affirm and encourage everyone, particularly the many, many young people she met and taught during her illustrious career in education. Indeed, her nephew, Fr. Eamon Aylward, SS.CC, and her niece, Sr Mary Clare Hartley, were each blessed with a vocation to the religious life and their work brought great joy to "Aunt Kathleen".
Her dedicated service of leadership within her religious community over the years was enriched by her generous heart, her warm hospitality and a capacity for creating and celebrating Community. Naturally, she had a profound love of her family which was reciprocated in great measure and she provided a steady font of inspiration for all those who sought it. Sr Francis Clare was always grateful for the constant love and support she received from her family and she was saddened by the death, in 2008 of her last surviving sister-in-law, Kitty who occupied Kathleen's own homestead in Knockmoylan and had been one her regular correspondents for nearly seventy years!
Her health began to deteriorate two years ago and finally, she retired to the Infirmary attached to her Convent. Despite her pain and her suffering, she was stoic and her disposition remained one of gratitude and serenity as she lived through the many challenges as well as all the blessings of that time. She continued to enjoy the frequent visits from all her family and friends and she continued to be generous in her advice, in her special insight, and in her prayers for all of them.
St. Francis Clare was called home to God on 2 December last. Her funeral service, which was attended by her many nieces and nephews and extended family, took place at the St. Paul's Convent, Selly Park, Birmingham, and her remains were interred in the convent grounds.
She is survived by her nieces and nephews of the Alyward, Kenneally, Frisby and Hartley families. May her faith-filled soul rest in peace and God whom she loved so dearly and served so earnestly.
Courtesy of the Kerry People
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