Sister Cyril, the Irish-born educator who made Kolkata her home 67 years ago, passed away on Saturday evening at the age of 86.
The school principal, who had taught children the joy of sharing their learning and little pleasures with the less privileged in their neighbourhood, spent her last years at the Loreto residence in Entally.
Many in this city remember her as the familiar figure riding a scooter through crowded streets dressed in her nun’s habit.
“Sister Cyril passed away peacefully at 7.55pm on Saturday,” said Sister Monica Suchiang, a spokesperson of the Loreto Congregation.
The funeral Mass will be held in St Thomas’ Churchat Middleton Row on Tuesday at 3pm. The burial will be atSt John’s Cemetry, Sealdah.
Her body was taken to the Peace World mortuary on Saturday night.
“We are sad to lose our Sister who has contributed so much to the lives of so many people who were in need,” said Sister Sabrina Edwards, provincial, Loreto Sisters, Southeast Asia.
Sister Cyril Mooney was born on July 21, 1936. She came to Kolkata in October 1956.
The schools she served included Loreto Convent Lucknow, Loreto House and the nearest to her heart, Loreto Day School Sealdah, where she spent 33 years.
“The Loreto Sisters deeply regret to announce the passing away of Sister Cyril Mooney IBVM who will be remembered as a revolutionary who transformed traditional pedagogical practices and empowered thousands of children, especially those who were poor,” said a press note from Loreto.
Sister Cyril started the Rainbow project in 1983 to educate street children. The project has been replicated in Loreto schools.
As part of the project, street children were given a home where they would receive care. Not just food, clothing and shelter, but protection and sense of security a girl child needs.
“If I was in a garbage dump or in a slum, I would be happy if someone helped me get on my feet and make something of my life. And there is so much talent among those children,” Sister Cyril had told Metro in an interview in 2011.
She is part of the Telegraph Hall of Fame, instituted by The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence for her remarkable lifelong contribution to education.
She received the Padma Shri in 2007.