Sister Teresita Yu passed away peacefully in the Nursing Home at St. Columban's Convent, Magheramore,  Wicklow,  Ireland  on Tuesday August 22, 2006 at  22.50 hrs. 

Funeral Mass was celebrated  on Friday, August 25, 2006 after which she was laid to rest in the convent cemetery.

Teresita was born in Jiangxi Province, Peoples Republic of China in 1927.  It was here that she first heard the missionary call to leave her homeland and her family to become a Columban Sister.  Teresita responded wholeheartedly to this call and set sail from China to Ireland in February 1949 to enter the Columban Novitiate in Cahercon, Co. Clare. She made her First Vows in Cahercon in 1951 and after some studies in Dublin was assigned to the U.S.  There she completed her university studies and was then assigned to teach in California. In 1974, Teresita was assigned to Hong Kong where she was to spend the next 23 years. 

When Teresita left China in 1949, she probably did not anticipate that her next visit home would be some 30 years later. During her years in Hong Kong she enjoyed several visits to her homeland and was able to spend time with her brother Fr. Thomas and her many extended family members.

In Hong Kong Teresita was involved in educational and pastoral apostolates.  Her love of people and dedication to whatever she took on was always very evident in her life.  She touched the lives of many people through her simple, sincere, friendly and joyful approach.  She was not only their teacher but for many she became their soul friend too.

In 2004, Teresita, because of illness requested to come to the Motherhouse Nursing Home in Magheramore.  She enjoyed quality time during these two and a half years and endeared herself to all with whom she came in contact.  During the final two months of her life her brother Fr. Thomas and her grandniece Rose came from China and accompanied her as she passed from this earthly life into the fullness of life with Christ.

May she rest in peace!  

To contact the Columban Sisters,
E-mail:  

columbansrs@eircom.net