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Bernadette MURPHY Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Bernadette MURPHY
Sponsored by Orla de Cogan.
St. Helen's Church, Ranworth, Norfolk
Anne de Cogan
April 7, 2010
On one occasion, when she was in England for some reason, Bernadette came to stay with us. Not sure what to expect or what would be acceptable, we decided we could not go wrong with some sightseeing around our beloved Norfolk, finishing with a visit to a favourite haunt - a cafe at a rural church known as ‘the Cathedral of the Broads’. It was a lovely day, we sat outside listening to the birdsong, admiring the roses and indulging in homemade cakes and tea. Idyllic. All Bernadette could say, and she said it repeatedly for many years afterwards, was “My God, they took me to tea in a graveyard”.
You were special Bernadette, and you will be missed.
Donard de Cogan
April 6, 2010
To understand the enigma that was Bernadette one must hark back to the 1930s and to the conservative mental attitudes of the time. This is well portrayed in J. Cooney's book "John Charles McQuaid: Ruler of Catholic Ireland" (O'Brien Press Ltd 2003). If this provides an insight then we can start to understand, and perhaps be a little sympathetic to the situation in which the Catholic Church in Ireland now finds itself. Bernie entered a religious order at a time when for many outsiders this was deemed as an escape from the world. Arriving in California she would have witnessed change in progress and she would have witnessed the world as it was. Was this a shock for her? Who knows? But she had faith and had the ability to accept others, both saints and sinners and to accept the changes of which she and they were part. She had to come to terms with happenings in her own family that might have been at variance with the dogma of the time. Where many in her situation might have abandoned their calling, these made her a stronger person. In the days before cheap air travel, when telephone calls were expensive much of her transition from innocent country girl to highly efficient manager took place outside our view; there is much that cannot be conveyed in a letter written to family by a busy person in a hurry. My own first awareness of this different side to my aunt was when she collected me from my hotel in Los Angeles. I admired the car that she was driving "Oh yes 'she said' I bought twenty of these for the order". We then did a tour which included the La Brea tar pits. I was always fascinated by a Gary Larson cartoon on the subject, particularly as the words 'lá brea' in Irish means 'nice day'. Later we visited a big department store where she showed me a massage chair. The sight of my aunt, a nun enjoying such an experience was part of an accelerated education. As my father used to end his letters to her "God loves you Bernie. Who wouldn't?"
sean murphy(jnr)
March 17, 2010
dear "aunty berne!its hard to believe that she is gone....we weren.t ready to let her go,i remember growing up that when dad (her brother sean)told us that bernie is coming home we used to get so excited!and wonder what she would bring us!!....she rang our house some time ago and i answered the phone and she said hello johnny?"..i said yes??..and she said "its bernie"..i said in shock.."OH MY GOD!"..and bernie said in one quick breath...."no not god ,but very close!!"..i laughed at this so much and still do when i tell people!...i have no doubt that she "IS" in fact closer to god now, more than we could imagine....rest in peace "aunty bernie" x
Becky Park
March 13, 2010
By writing this I am confirming to myself what I find difficult to beleive and even harder to accept.To me you were Aunty Bernie a wonderful person who I admired enormously for your achievements yet you always made time to maintain contact with family making everyone of us feel we had 100 percent of your love and attention. I feel tremendously privileged to be your neice. You always made us laugh and have fun and I know you and Mom are having a fine craic together as you did in life. The world is a poorer place without you but I am rich for having known you. You are loved and missed but always in my thoughts. Love Becky and Don
Monica Quigley, S.S.L.
March 12, 2010
Bernadette was such a gifted person and she used her talents in so many ways.
Among the many memories of her, that I have, is that of a kind woman of great compassion, who had a genuine interest in each one's wellbeing. I, personally, owe so much gratitude to her for all she did for me. I will be for ever thankful. I am grateful, too, for her deep spirituality, which she shared so freely with me.
Bernadette has now earned her just reward and she is reunited with her parents, family and friends,and the God she loved and Who loved her in this life. May her soul rest in peace!
I pray that Bernadette will continue to watch over us from her heavenly abode.
Love,
Monica Quigley, S.S.L
March 9, 2010
Our Auntie Bernie will be missed by all who knew her.
Rest now - ...
Love always.
Keefe
March 9, 2010
Our beloved Auntie Bernie was so very special to all of her nieces and nephews. She taught many of us how to grieve with strength and pride when we lost a parent and she herself lost another sibling. Now that we must learn to grieve without her, our memories of her wit, wisdom and absolute belief in life after death are what will help us to get through the weeks, months and years ahead as we learn to adjust to a world without her. Love always Bernie. Give Dad a hug for me. Martine
Rita Carroll
March 9, 2010
You are the best, dear Bernadette. You gave your all in everything you did. You are so talented and gifted that I would not know where to begin to describe you. You had a wisdom that was beautiful and astonishing. You had a deep compassion for others even in the midst of your own suffering. Above all you had a deep, deep spirituality and an unmistakeable realization that you were totally loved by the God whom you loved with your whole heart.
Thanks for being such an authentic true friend. I know that now that you are released from bodily limitations you will guide and direct us as we continue our journey here on earth.
May you enter deeper and deeper into Eternal Beauty, Love and Peace.
Rita Carroll S.S.L.
Hugh Ralston
March 8, 2010
I had the great pleasure of working for Sr. Bernadette when I was head of the Catholic Education Foundation at the Archdiocese, and she was my boss for three years, from 2000-2003. Full of mischief, wisdom, a sense of fun and a radiant smile, she helped navigate the challenges of the day with good humor, great faith in the work of the church and power of Catholic education, a wisdom of working with different (fallible) humans and a sense of the power of working with others. She was a good friend and colleague, and I treasure the chance to have met her and to have worked closely with her. I will carry her two admonitions -the importance of being on time to meetings, and the imperative to share what was needed for a decision: "don't tell me everything you have learned, just tell me what I need to know."
I know she will be busy organizing activities and sharing the joys of communion.
Brother Stan Sobczyk, FSC
March 8, 2010
Sister Bernardette was a teacher of mine. She was one of the five best teachers I have had over the years. She was a dedicated Catholic educator, full of zeal for students. She was also a friend who was full of life. Her intellectual contributions to Catlholic education are going to be missed. Bernardette please continue to be a guardian angel for us now that you are in heaven, as you were when you taught us at the University of San Francisco.
Justin Blythe
March 8, 2010
We were deeply saddened when we got the call informing us of Bernie's passing. Our memories are of happy times with a most remarkable human being. How proud we were of Bernie. What will stay with us is remembering her utter belief in Gods love.
Our thoughts and love are with Helen, Dympna, Anne and Gerry and families.
Rest in peace Bernie, your work here is done.
Your nephew Justin, Charlene (Sophie) & girls
Nicola Sedgwick
March 7, 2010
I was so saddened to hear of my beloved aunt’s passing. I already greatly miss this wonderful, special, clever, funny and wise human being who was a true gift to this world, and who has left behind a legacy of unconditional love and compassion.
Damien Blythe
March 7, 2010
Bernie, as always your only a prayer away, and your already sorely missed. I am so happy you saw all the photos of your wee baern's before you left us, and I know they will miss your amazing presence in the years to come, as I will. Please say hi to Mom and I know your both having a great time. Its had to say small things about such great people, and your actions have always defined who you are and what people say and know will add to that amazing aura. I will never forget waiting for you to get off the plane when you first visited us in South Africa,(big black nuns habit expected) and mom hugging this amazing lady in a skirt and blouse , who scooped me up and gave me a big hug and kiss!!!! was in awe of you from that moment (including when you threw me in the swimming pool :) ) but as always we say good bye......and as I said to Mom , -Hamba Khalhle na Nkosi - Go well to God. All our love Damien, Rachel, Isabella and James
United States Ambassador Douglas Kmiec
March 7, 2010
Dear Sister Bernadette Murphy SSL was a woman of purpose and intellect shaped by an unshakeable faith. There was no wasting of time in her life. Her assumed duties were many from assisting at OLM to advising the LA diocese on religious education, vocations, and the role of women in the Church. Her network of confidants included the very leadership of the American Church and beyond, yet, she was no name-dropper or back-slapper and she was as sure-footed before Cardinal as commoner. It is fitting that Bernandette be returned to the old sod for internment. I'm reasonably certain it is not just a love of her native Ireland but a matter of administrative common sense aimed at simplifying God welcoming her to an eternity where she can rest easy now knowing all her appointments have been met. Like the celebrated Yeats himself, Bermadette "Cast a cold Eye On life, on Death" as the coming into and departure from this exiled life was God's business," and like the Horseman admonished to "pass by" in Yeats' epitaph, Bernandette instructed all to live life to the full in whatever service she was asked to render to her community, to local parish, and to parishioners who, like me,more than once received instruction to "buck up" and do the Lord's work, and most of all pray.
I will miss the insight she gave on Church teaching, her witness of faith at daily Mass, her smiles and warm wish of "peace of Christ" felt in the soul, itself, and having the day be better just by the fact of her friendship.
Gráinne Power
March 6, 2010
"She was my darling Aunt, a beacon of happiness, positivity, joy and good humour. Her quick wit and sunny personality lit up our lives. I am so very, very sad that she has passed away. I will miss her terribly".
Gráinne Power ( nee Murphy) Dublin, Ireland
Gerri Spray
March 5, 2010
I have known Sister Bernadette for 28 years. It was an honor for me to type her Ph.D. dissertation and work for her in some capacity for close to 20 years. She was a special friend and I will miss her. Gerri Spray
Dn. Thomas E. Brandlin
March 5, 2010
Sister Bernadette is a wonderful example of the best women in religious life. I knew her when she was in field education at St. John's Seminary in Camarillo, CA and I was adjunct faculty serving as a site supervisor. I will pray for her, her sisters, and her family.
Mark Fischer
March 4, 2010
When I began my teaching career at St. John's Seminary in 1990, Sr. Bernadette was Director of Pastoral Field Education. She became a good friend, an esteemed colleague, and a model of professionalism in Catholic education. When we relocated to Southern California, she took my family under her wing, accompanying us to visit Catholic schools for our young children. We enjoyed her company at our home and our photos of her bring back fond memories. We miss her.
Gerald Sedgwick
March 4, 2010
My dearest aunt will be so sadly missed. She was a wonderful unique human being who brought love and happiness anywhere she went. As a child she made me laugh all the time and loved us all. I am sure my mother, Anne Sedgwick and my father will have a void in their lives as she always loved staying with them, my other aunts Dympna and Helen and all her relatives will miss her dreadfully.
Rest peacefully Bernie . . . your nephew Gerald.
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