Sister M Leontia Smyth

SISTER M Leontia Smyth, who has died aged 95, was a Missionary Sister of the Assumption, who devoted her life to caring for others.

Sr Leontia was born on May 30, 1922, the seventh child of James Smyth and his wife Mary (née Trainor). She was named Mary Bridget on her baptism in St. Malachy’s Church, Ballykilbeg and her childhood was spent on a small farm in the townland of Lisnamaul  and Ballykinlar. Her caring nature was called upon many times as her parents and relatives aged.

Bridget attended the parish school at Bonecastle, where she developed a great love of poetry and music. She shared fond memories of her teacher, Mrs Kilroy, and often quoted poetry and sang songs she had been taught by her.  

After the death of her parents Bridget secured a position in Bury General Hospital as a trainee nurse in the early 1950’s and later qualified as a midwife in Glasgow. She returned to Ireland and worked as Night Sister in the Mater Hospital, Belfast, where she became acquainted with Sr. Ancilla Doran of the Missionary Sisters of the Assumption. This turned her attention to life as a missionary nursing Sister and she joined the Assumption Sisters in 1960-61.

Family members and neighbours, both in Ireland, and England loved to see Sr Leontia returning home with her stories of life on the missions in Africa. 

Her nieces and nephews offered the following reflections on their Aunt Bridget:

“From her, we learned to appreciate living in this country, the joy of digging potatoes for the dinner and vegetables from the garden. She recounted memories of Lisnamaul and passed on her love of flowers and nature. 

“Her incredible talents and wisdom were concealed by great humility. Problems were solved and work was done, but with so much laughter from the stories and rhymes that we barely noticed.

“She taught us so much by her wonderful example.

Her energy and enthusiasm has always been and will continue to be an inspiration and driving force for us all. A finely tuned instrument of God.”

As a Missionary Sister of the Assumption, Sr Leontia gave herself to a life of prayer and complete dedication to nursing and caring for the sick and the poor in many parts of Africa — South Africa and then Nigeria, where she was part of a community of Assumption Sisters who ran a hospital and where, with her sisters, she experienced the horrors and suffering of the Biafran war. 

Further appointments took Sr Leontia to Malawi, Zambia and again to South Africa. After serving in hospitals and clinics, Sr Leontia also cared for the frail and sick Sisters in the Assumption Convent in Port Alfred, where she was described as “an Angel of mercy” in her compassionate caring for all.

Sr Leontia returned to Ireland, in the late 1990s, where she continued to serve the sick and the poor. She always had a special concern for those who were in any way disadvantaged and she was a familiar sight walking briskly through Ballynahinch as she visited families and brought Holy Communion to patients in the local care homes. 

Her great heart was open to all, to her very last days.  She loved people and was loved in return.

Even in her failing health and the diminishment of her final years, Sr Leontia continued to be an inspiration to her community and to the many carers who looked after her.

Her ready smile, friendly disposition and concern for their well-being made their work so much easier.

Sr Leontia will be sadly missed by her Sisters in the Ballynahinch community and by her many nieces and nephews who were devoted to her.

May her beautiful soul rest in peace.