Appreciation - Sr Marie Mifsud

Sr Doreen Cuschieri, S.S.D. writes:

A generous and jovial sister, young in spirit and kind at heart. At a very young age, Sr Marie lost her father, and was entrusted to the Dorotheans for her complete education until she joined the Congregation in 1946.

She was a primary school teacher for well over 35 years in our schools at Mdina, Sliema and Żebbuġ. She also spent a short time in our school in Bologna, Northern Italy.

Besides being a good and kind teacher, Sr Marie was an artist; she taught piano and spent most of her time after school patiently helping young musicians to interpret music. On the weekend or during her free time she would paint small illuminations on parchment or embroider altar- or table-cloths which were often donated to benefactors who showed their generosity towards the sisters. Crochet also intrigued her and she enjoyed creating her own original patterns and designs.

Sr Marie loved relating stories to her students and her class often flocked to her desk to listen to one of her long narratives. She enjoyed playing cards and Scrabble and, in her last four years, when her sight was diminishing, she enjoyed a game or two, sometimes even on her own.

Amazingly enough, though partially blind, she was able to embroider in punto Assisi till her last days. In fact, she had just designed an altar-cloth for our Żebbuġ community which, unfortunately, will remain an unfinished masterpiece until some courageous Sister ventures to complete it.

Being very sensitive and kind-hearted, she helped everyone who took recourse to her. She was well-groomed and educated, courteous and grateful to everyone, and she enjoyed the company of others.

Being a good woman, Sr Marie strove to become a good Dorothean Sister. She loved our Congregation and our Foundress St Paula Frassinetti. She studied the history of our Congregation meticulously and passed all her knowledge to anyone who showed interest.

Whenever we had a Province gathering she was always very keen to participate and give her contribution. Community meetings were also enlivened and enriched by her active participation and interest.

Sr Marie will be remembered by all of us for her simplicity.