Sister Bernadette McNamara, SHSp died peacefully at her home, the Convent of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate, on March 28, 2023.

Born on May 2, 1934 on Achill Island, County Mayo, Ireland, Sister Bernadette grew up in a loving and faith-filled family with her eleven siblings. Her love for her native Ireland and for her family fed her spirit until her last breath on Tuesday.

On January 6, 1950 at the age of fifteen, Sister Bernadette came to San Antonio following her dream of becoming a missionary. Last June, she joyously celebrated her 70 ^th Jubilee of Religious Profession.

In her early years of religious life, she was known as "Sister Mary Jude" and she spent those years in service of students and families whose situations often seemed hopeless. As a teacher, principal and a fundraiser, she stretched out her years in compassionate ministry in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi for 63 years.  The religious congregation that she loved so deeply was blessed to have had her generous and gracious spirit with them for so long.

Sister Bernadette is mourned by her sisters and brothers, her 58 nieces and nephews, her over 70 grandnieces/nephews, her many friends and by the members of her religious community, some of whom she had known since she was twelve years old.

The Rosary followed by the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 3 ^rd at 3:00 PM at the Motherhouse Chapel, 300 Yucca, San Antonio, Texas. Interment will follow in the Community Cemetery.

Donations can be made in Sr. Bernadette's memory to the ministries of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate.