St Mary’s University College has received the sad news of the death of Sr Virgilius (Claire) O’Brien.

Sr Claire was appointed to the position of Vice-Principal of St Mary’s in 1986, and undertook this senior leadership role for a period of five years. She was a past pupil of St Dominic’s Grammar School for Girls and was appointed Principal there in 1968. She steered the school with courage and determination during some of the worst years of the Troubles. Throughout this time, she and the staff ensured that the school remained an oasis of peace and calm, where learning flourished. She is remembered at St Dominic’s for her quick wit as well as her kindness and compassion towards pupils who were experiencing personal difficulties. Those characteristics carried over to her role at St Mary’s where she worked most successfully with Mr J I O’Connell in steering the College through the early phase of the amalgamation between St Mary’s and St Joseph’s College of Education.

Our thoughts are with the O’Brien family and the Dominican Congregation at this time.

Her Requiem Mass took place at St Paul’s Church, Falls Road on Monday, 26 October.

May she rest in peace.