Irish-born educator Sister Cyril Mooney, who made Kolkata her home 67 years ago, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. Sister Cyril, a school principal, was known for teaching children the joy of sharing their learning and little pleasures with the less privileged in their neighbourhood. Her last years were spent at the Loreto residence in south Kolkata’s Entally. Sister Cyril Mooney was born on July 21, 1936, and came to Kolkata in October 1956. She served at several schools, including Loreto Convent Lucknow, Loreto House, and Loreto Day School Sealdah, where she spent 33 years.
One of her most notable contributions was starting the Rainbow project in 1983 to educate street children, which became a model for similar projects in other Loreto schools. Sister Cyril received the Padma Shri award in 2007 for her contributions to the field of education and social work. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sadness over her passing and praised Sister Cyril for her work as an educational reformer and friend of the poor. Banerjee also recognized her immeasurable contribution to state welfare schemes for underprivileged children.
The funeral Mass is scheduled to be held at St Thomas’ Church at Middleton Row on Tuesday at 3 PM, followed by the burial at St John’s Cemetery in Sealdah. Sister Monica Suchiang, a spokesperson for the Loreto Congregation, confirmed the news of Sister Cyril’s passing and said she had passed away peacefully on Saturday at 7.55 PM. Her body was taken to the Peace World mortuary on the same night.
Sister Cyril’s contribution to the field of education and social work has been widely recognized in India and abroad. She will be remembered as someone who dedicated her life to serving the less fortunate and making a positive impact on society.
