A tribute to the late Columban Sister Mary Clement Sheehy

My Tribute to Sister Clement

by Lourdes de Guzman

This tribute was written by someone who was very close to Sister Clement pictured above with a child in Ozamiz City who was part of the Community of Hope she worked with there for many years. Sister Clement died in Ireland on 13 July

Sister Clement was more than my favorite teacher.  She was my best friend, my one-woman cheering squad, my ‘Tita’ (Auntie).

I first knew her as my fascinating teacher in English Literature at St Columban's College, Lingayen, Pangasinan.  As one of her most zealous students, I often wondered how much preparation it took to be able to teach like that.  So I took up Education, majored in English, and became a teacher like her.  I discovered that beyond mastery of the subject matter, it took heart and passion, and joy in the job. And whatever else is written in books about those intangible inputs, I saw them first and learned them from Sister Clement.

She had such a thirst for knowledge and was continuously learning.  She was interested in what was happening around the world, she read widely, and she kept up.  In her 80s she learned to use the computer and send email.  On the cell phone she would send text messages using the atrocious text language that defies the rules of grammar and spelling.

She had a great zest for life and in her own quiet way enjoyed having a good time - going places, meeting people, trying new things.  And gifted as she is with a photographic memory, she would remember everything.

Kindness and thankfulness were her very nature. I never heard from her any unkind remark about anyone – even the most unpopular character.  I would guess she did that by believing first in basic goodness and focusing only on the positive. And she was all the time sincerely thankful.  I still have her last email to me dated 24 June, which she closed ‘With love and thanks.’ She was like that, always thankful.

Most of all, she was very simple – the kind of simplicity that makes you humble. Once she let me into her room to show me something.  Besides a few books and some papers, I noticed an old black and white photo of herself with both her parents, taken on her profession day.  There wasn’t much else.  In my mind I figured that if she were to empty the room in a hurry, she could do it in less than half an hour.

She was my best friend.  And she was the best friend anyone could ever have! She fully believed in me . . . she believed I had talent, I had the ability, and she believed I was good.  She made me feel I was No. 1 - all the time. I knew she was proud of me, and that was for me the highest inspiration because when someone you so much looked up to believed in you that way, how could you be otherwise, or how could you be any less?

The writer, left, with Sister Clement (right) at Dublin Airport, Ireland, when she took her home to retire in 2005.  Sr Brigid Kingston (at rear) met them.

If Sister Clement’s life on earth made a difference in the lives of people and children among whom she worked as a missionary in the Philippines, she made the biggest difference in mine.  Much of what I have become as a career woman, I owe to her - her encouragement and her example.  She was the kind of woman I had wanted to grow up to be. 

She has accompanied me this far in my life’s journey . . . but only up to here.  What matters now is that she was there with me when I needed her.

When we last parted in 2005, it made her smile when I said I'd take comfort in pretending that she was with me every time I prayed the rosary because in Hail Holy Queen there's a part where her name comes up: 'O clement . . .' Now, I don't have to pretend anymore. It's the reality.

I am most thankful to God for Sister Clement’s life.  I am thankful to Him for leading her to my hometown, Lingayen, Pangasinan, to share with us her God-given gifts. I am thankful for the many good times and all the beautiful memories shared in the company of Sister Clement…   Till we meet again, Auntie . . .