Maureen Healy Obituary

HEALY, MAUREEN

Of Mt. Rainier, MD, on Sunday, March 5, 2006, at Linwood Spiritual Center in Rhinebeck, NY. She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and patrick Healy; and her sisters, Eileen Healy and Margaret Buzy. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Joseph Buzy; the Buzy children and grandchildren. Prayer services will be held at Linwood Spiritual Center on Monday, March 13, from 4 to 5 p.m., followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 7 p.m. Interment will be Tuesday, March 14, at 9:30 a.m. Contributions in her memory, to continue outreach and living the gospel in the Congo, can be made to The Society of St. Ursula, 50 Linwood Dr., Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

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Published by The Washington Post on Mar. 11, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Maureen Healy

4 Entries

Marguerite Katshak

March 18, 2006

I met Sr. Maureen Healy in Lubumbashi, Congo. She was my teacher in High school.

Later when I joined my husband here in America, we were reunited again by a miracle of God.

Three days after I arrived, my husband was waiting at a bus stop and there were two ladies trying to figure out the bus schedule. So he joined the conversation and one of the ladies asked him where he was from. He told them that he was from The Congo. Then the lady told him that she knew a nun who had lived in the Congo. Without hesitating my husband asked: Soeur Marie Assumpta? And the lady replied: yes! Do you know her? Yes just like that Sr. Maureen and I had been reunited. How do you go from one continent to another and find a dear friend in three days? For me this was God’s Will.

Sr. Maureen showed me where to shop, how to look for a job. She helped me to adjust to my new life and encouraged me when I felt homesick. She became my sister (like my mother’s daughter) and a member of my family.

My husband and I did not have any relatives in America. So we always gave Sr. Maureen’s name as the person to contact in case of an emergency.

When I needed a letter of recommendation for anything she was always ready to help. When I needed to talk I would call her and we would talk for hours. We talked about our families and mostly about what was happening back home in The Congo. Yes she considered Congo her home.

She wanted peace and justice in the world, especially in the Congo. She published a monthly letter on the situation in The Congo and the African Great Lakes region. She testified many times in Washington on behalf of the Congolese people. She was always giving and caring for others. She was indeed the voice of the voiceless.

Last time I spoke to her, she wanted the conversation to be about me even though she was the one in the hospital. That’s how carrying she was. She always put others first. She was an Angel of God right here on earth. Sr. Maureen’s life was a prayer; a constant prayer for the forgotten, the bitten up and the poor. She stood for Justice, Peace, Love and Hope.

My family and I thank God for putting Sr. Maureen Healy in our path. We also thank her family and the Sisters of St Ursula for her impact on our lives. Most of all I thank you, dear Sr. Maureen, for being such a good friend and a good example to me. Thank you for everything. I love you and I miss you so much.

Your friend and sister,

Marguerite Katshak

March 18, 2006

I have known Sr. Maureen Healy since the 70’s when I was in High school at Lycee Ste Ursule (Lycee Tujikaze) in The Congo. Back then I knew her as Sr. Marie Assumpta. She first taught English and later became the principal of the school. The sisters created a good environment for the girls to learn and Sr. M. Assumpta made it fun (Yes I had fun in a Catholic school). All the girls liked her class. She was not only a teacher to us, but also our friend. She was simple, humble and patient. I remember in English class she was always patient as we struggled with learning a new language. She always said “very good” to every girl as she finished reading or answering a question. She cared about all the girls. She helped build up our self-esteem. She was always proud of us. She was happy when we were happy and sad when we were sad.

She was a very fascinating person. Her name” Marie Assumpta” was so pretty and different from the other sisters and I learned later that the name Assumpta came from the word Assumption. She was unique: simple, carrying and loving. We loved her very much and talked about her even outside of school so that many people in Katuba (Lubumbashi/Congo) felt that they knew her even before they met her.

She was also very active in the community. She spoke fluent Swahili like a native. On Sundays she would be talking to people or visiting with friends or the poor in the community.

After my high school years, my relationship with her grew from that of teacher-student to true friendship.

On behalf of all the girls of Lycee Tujikaze and the people of Katuba, I thank God for sending us such a good teacher, mentor and friend. We love you and we will always remember you, Dear Sr. Assumpta.

Merci beaucoup! Aksanti! Thank you!

For all the girls of Lycee Tujikaze,

Damien Mwez

March 16, 2006

I knew of Sr. Maureen when I was a member of St. Martin Parish in Lubumbashi, Congo.

My now wife was a student at St Ursula High School where Sr. Maureen was teaching.

When my wife and I moved to Maryland in 1990, we reconnected with Sr. Maureen. She then became a very close friend of ours. We always spoke in French and/or Swahili with her. She was truly one of us.

She continued to work for a better Congo. Through her work with the Justice and Faith Network, she lent her voice to the voiceless of the Congo. It is a privilege to have known such a humble, dedicated and loving person.

She is like a star whose light reaches the far ends of the world. Even after the star has passed on, its light continues to shine…

Rest in peace my sister.

Anne Edgerton

March 12, 2006

My condolences to all who knew or had the pleasure of working with Sr. Maureen. I had the honor of working with her on a variety of Congo issues during the war there, and met with her often before moving to Kalemie in Katanga, DRC, in 2003. She was an inspritation to me for her kindness and dedication. My thanks to whomever was kind enough to notify me of her passing. I know she looks down on us from above. May she rest in peace.

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