Sr Genny remembered for her service, kindness and deep faith

Tullamore nun and community advocate Sr Genevieve (Genny) Hassey has been remembered at her funeral mass for her service, kindness and deep faith.

Sr Genny, as she was known, passed away on Saturday, at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore.

Her Funeral Mass took place in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, on Monday, October 5, where family, friends, members of the Sisters of Mercy community and many who had worked alongside her gathered to pay their respects.

Also present were Fr Gerry Boyle and Fr Conor McGee, who worked alongside Genny for many years. Fr Billy Swan, who is currently serving in Rome, also sent his condolences.

Chief celebrant Fr Sean Heaney remembered Sr Genny as a woman of “deep faith” who dedicated her life to the Mercy community.

“She lived her life in service to young people and the parish. I could talk all day about Genny’s tireless work in Tullamore. She was a woman of prayer and of great closeness to God throughout her life.

“She gave a great amount of her time and attention to St Mary’s Youth Centre, alongside her ‘partner-in-crime’ Marie. Genny was able to take everything in her stride.

“Her work was always marked by kindness. People always found her so gentle and kind. She just had that way about her. Her work was rooted in her personality and in her deep faith. She had a great faith and a strong commitment to working for the Lord.

“Genny always found time for people who were struggling with stress. She was a remarkable disciple of Christ. We pray that she now shares in the joy and peace of God’s kingdom.”

The Family Mass Choir, which was overseen by Sr Genny and Marie White for many years, provided hymns and music throughout the service.

Sr Genevieve had been synonymous with St Mary’s Youth Centre since she first became involved with Sr Xaviour in Scoil Mhuire to produce the annual show.

Fondly known as Genny, she spent many years promoting youth affairs at both national and international level.

She retired from the board of St Mary’s Youth Centre in November 2023. In her honour, the board established a third-level scholarship last year.

In January 2022, she was presented with an address of civic recognition by Offaly County Council in recognition of her outstanding work with young people.

Born in Freshford, Co Kilkenny, her family moved to Castledermot, Co Kildare, when she was 10 years old, and shortly afterwards to Tullamore, where they first lived on Bridge Street before moving to Marian Place.

She entered the novitiate at St Joseph’s Convent, Tullamore, in 1962 before studying at University College Galway, where she graduated with first-class honours in 1967. She subsequently obtained her Higher Diploma in Education in Galway.

Sr Genny taught for many years at Sacred Heart School and later at Tullamore College. She also served as a full-time liturgist with Tullamore Parish and was a board member of Tullamore Community Training Centre.

Earlier in her life, she taught in England and also spent time working on the missions in Zambia.

She played a key role in persuading her Order, the Sisters of Mercy, to transform the former St Philomena’s school into St Mary’s Youth Centre. Over the years, she also played a prominent role at national level with the National Youth Federation.

Predeceased by her parents Tom and Mary and her brother Willie, she will be sadly missed by her nieces Yvonne and Brenda, nephew Kevin, cousins in Co Wexford, the Sisters of Mercy community in Tullamore, the Sisters in the Northern Branch, relatives, many friends and former colleagues.

Sr Genny has been laid to rest in Clonminch Cemetery, Tullamore.

May she rest in peace.