Book of condolence opened at City Council offices for Edel House founder Sr Colette

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Damian Boylan has opened a book of condolence for Sr Colette Hickey, the Good Shepherd sister who founded Edel House and was the first ever Cork Person of the Year award winner.

Sr Colette passed away on Tuesday at the age of 108, just weeks after becoming the oldest living person in Ireland.

Her funeral took place today in St Joseph’s Church in Mayfield, followed by burial at St Catherine’s Cemetery, Kilcully.

The book of condolence will be available for members of the public to sign, in the atrium of the Cork City Council civic offices on Anglesea St, from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday for the next two weeks.

Sr Colette joined the Good Shepherd Sisters over 90 years ago at the age of 17. In 1972 she founded Edel House, an organisation which provides emergency accommodation for women and children.

She was named the very first Cork Person of the Year in 1993 and was presented with her award by then taoiseach Albert Reynolds, who flew directly from London that day after signing the Downing St Peace Declaration.

Tributes are continuing to pour in following the passing of Sr Colette, with the Good Shepherd Cork describing her as “a woman whose kindness, compassion, and dedication touched countless lives throughout our community”.

In a tribute to Sr Colette, the Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin, told The Echo:“I was privileged to have met Sr Colette a number of times since I came to Cork.

“She has been an inspiring witness to the call of the Lord to us all, to take care of those most in need.

“Her prophetic response to the needs of vulnerable women and children is what motivated so many people to support her work at Edel House and elsewhere.”

The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Boylan, said Sr Colette will be remembered as a woman of deep compassion to those most in need.

“As the founder of Edel House, she created a place of shelter and sanctuary where dignity, respect, and hope could be restored to women and families facing homelessness and hardship,” he said.

“As well as providing practical help to those in need, Sr Colette also provided perhaps something more important, human kindness and understanding.”

Labour Party Cork city councillor Ciara O’Connor told The Echo that Cork has lost an extraordinary woman “whose compassion, courage and unwavering commitment to others changed countless lives for the better”.

Cork North Central Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan added: “Her legacy is written in the countless lives she touched and in the vital work of the Good Shepherd community in Cork, which will continue in her spirit.”