Sr Joan Corridan (1921-2013)

January 23^rd we learned of the  sad passing of Sr. Joan Corridan. Those of us that were fortunate enough to cross her path (and there are quite a lot of people over the years who teased her ever sharp mind in search of their blood lines) felt very much enriched for the experience. She was  a very  warm and smart Lady, with such a welcoming and infectious smile,  who only saw  good in everybody . Joan spent the last decade or so of her life fighting her illness, before losing her  courageous  battle at the ripe old age of 92.  Sr.  Joan was predeceased by her brothers Tim, Ned, Moss and Mary. Her Parents were Maurice Corridan and Hanora Kelly and her grandparents were Thady Corridan(1845-1936) and Maria Walsh. Thady was 6^th and youngest son of Thomas Corridan 1801-1878 and Margaret o Donnell.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí ar aon”

 An Obituary in Kerry’s Eye the following week went as follows.

“A lifetime’s devotion to her religious life, her passion for teaching and her lifelong belief in being positive with everyone she encountered came to a peaceful closing with the passing of Sr. Joan Corridan, Convent of Mercy, Mallow and Kanturk , on January 23^rd, in Teach Altra Nursing Home, Newmarket.

Born in Duagh in 1921, she was educated in the local national School and continued her education in St Leo’s in Carlow as a boarder. She entered the noviciate of The Sisters of Mercy in Cobh in 1943 and spent thirty months there before joining the community in Kanturk. She began her  training as a teacher in Careysfort College in 1945  and returned to Kanturk   on completion of her training, remaining there until her retirement in 1987. She taught in Macroom and Rushbrook schools for brief periods but the main beneficiaries of her teaching skills were the many generations of children of the North Cork town.

She made numerous friends throughout her career and her sense of fun and love of sport endeared her to many people of all ages. Her bright personality, brought out the best traits of all she met and she enjoyed the sporting rivalry between her beloved Kerry and the Rebel county on many a Munster  Final.

She had an extraordinary intellect and a willingness to engage with everyone she met, a belief that each person was God’s gift to be helped in any way she could.”