31/08/2026
Rest in Peace - Sr. Mechtilde Robinson, MMM
Sr. Mechtilde Robinson, baptised Margaret, was born in Ballinagh, County Cavan, Ireland, in January 1930. She was one of a large family. Margaret was educated locally and then did a Secretarial course in the Vocational School in Cavan.
Margaret worked as a bookkeeper and typist for ten years in both Ireland and England before entering MMM in 1957. After her Spiritual Formation, she made her First Profession in 1960, taking the religious name Sr. M. Mechtilde. As a young Sister, she worked in the various offices in the hospital for approximately eight years in a secretarial/book-keeping role before being assigned overseas.
Sr. Mechtilde has had a varied life as a missionary, working in three different African countries. She began in Nigeria, working in Ikom, Ikot Ene, Abakaliki and Obudu for six years and then after a short break in Ireland, was assigned to Tanzania where she worked in Arusha, Namanyere, Babati and Mbulu, for six years, mainly in administrative roles. Her final overseas assignment was to Angola, a former Portuguese colony, on the west coast of the continent, where apart from the challenges of facing a new country, she had to master the Portuguese language, no easy task. However, undaunted she worked hard and managed well.
In all her work, be it secretarial, administrative, financial or whatever, she exhibited a perfection and a thoroughness in all that she did and put all her energies into the task at hand. She was a great worker and a great all-rounder and approached everything with energy and enthusiasm. She was easy to approach, and the staff valued that quality in her.
In 1996, Sr. Mechtilde returned to Ireland and initially worked in the Central Secretariat in Rosemount, Dublin, for two years. She then moved to the MMM house in Artane. Finally, in 1999, she moved to Beechgrove, working as the Assistant to the Area Business Administrator and was also Local Bursar for years. It was frequently said that under her stewardship, not one penny went astray. She was accurate and thorough in all her financial dealings.
While living in Beechgrove, she was also responsible for the Mite Boxes, a valuable source of fund-raising. It involved collecting and replacing them in the local pubs and shops and, over time, she knew the owners very well. She also visited the Sisters in Áras Mhuire as well as elderly people in the parish. With her sociable personality, she was a popular figure.
In more recent years, her health has deteriorated gradually with several hospital admissions. With each set-back she has courageously and quietly adapted and remained mobile for as long as possible. She was admitted to Áras Mhuire for extra care in March, 2022. After a slow decline in her health, she died on August 30th in the evening.
