A special Mass in memory of the young Derry nun killed in last weekend’s earthquake in Ecuador is to be celebrated in America tomorrow.
Sister Clare Theresa Crockett, a member of the Home of the Mother Order, died as she was leading a group out of a school when the staircase collapsed,
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The 33-year-old (pictured), three trainee nuns and two girls were found among the debris of the school in the coastal town of Playa Prieta.
Saturday's 7.8-magnitude earthquake, the worst to hit Ecuador in decades, killed over 650 people, injured thousands and caused widespread destruction.
Sister Clare’s death is being mourned in Derry and beyond, especially in Jacksonville in Florida where she was one of four Sisters who started a convent there for the local Assumption Catholic School.
Church pastor, Rev Frederick Parke, paid tribute to Sister Clare.
He said: “Our convent had closed many years ago and the other Order of Sisters had left many years before I became pastor.
“As pastor, I am so pleased to have the Home of the Mother Sisters here.
“They came in 2006. Sister Clare was here four years and made a lasting impression on us all.
“This Monday, the 25th,, our parish will gather with the ten Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother to have a Memorial Mass.
“I am sure she is with the Lord. She was an absolute delight and a blessing.
“Today, our catholic school is the largest in the Diocese of St. Augustine, with 640 students and we are currently building a 24 classroom expansion which will bring our numbers to 780 children.
“It was the presence of these Sisters which brought so much life to this parish.”
Meanwhile, the body of Sister Clare is expected to be brought home to Derry this week.
Her funeral will take place from her family home at 12 Iona Court in the Brandywell area.
She is survived by her parents, Gerard and Margaret, and sisters Shauna and Megan.
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A book of condolence to Sister Clare was opened in St Columba’s Church in her home parish of Long Tower on Friday night.
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