Sister Olive McConville, a former Head of English and Senior Leader at Our Lady’s Grammar School in Newry, has died. She passed away on Thursday, August 27, following a short illness, while under the care of Evora Hospice.

Sr McConville was a member of the Sisters of Mercy. She had been living in Rostrevor, County Down, and was originally from the Cullyhanna area in County Armagh.

During her time at the school, she taught English and later held the post of Head of English. The school requested prayers for the repose of her soul and extended condolences to her family, friends, and her fellow Mercy Sisters.

She is survived by her siblings Josephine, Dermot, Leontia, Noeleen, Kieran, Gemma, Caroline, and Declan. She was predeceased by her parents James and Rosaleen McConville, and by her siblings Marie, Brendan, Raymond, and Emmett.

The Sisters of Mercy have had a presence in Newry for more than 170 years, working in pastoral care, visiting the sick and housebound, and supporting organisations including St Vincent de Paul and the Simon Community.

Requiem Mass will be held on Saturday at 1:30pm at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Rostrevor, with burial afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Cullyhanna. Donations in lieu of flowers are being directed to Evora Hospice.