The Religious Sisters of Charity have announced the passing of Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, widely known as Sr Stan.
Sr Stan died this morning after a short time at the St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown.
Superior General Sr Patricia Lenihan said that Sr Stan was a "powerful voice for compassion, equality, and systemic change throughout her life".
She added: "We are confident that her legacy of a life dedicated to the service of others in need, will continue to inspire us and generations of activists and social innovators in Ireland".
Born Treasa Kennedy in County Kerry in 1939, Sr Stan joined the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1958 and was professed in January 1960.
She devoted her life to helping others, working tirelessly to support the homeless, immigrants, and those in disadvantaged communities.
Legacy and Organisations
Sr Stan founded several organisations to achieve lasting social change and provide vital services.
In 1985, she founded Focus Point, now known as Focus Ireland, which is the country’s largest voluntary organisation helping people to find, create and maintain a home.
She established ‘The Sanctuary’, a centre for meditation and spiritual reflection in Dublin, in 1998.
In 2001, she founded the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI). She also established Young Social Innovators (YSI) in 2021.
Public Service and Honours
Sr Stan was the first Chair of the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty in Ireland.
She served on the Council of State from 1997 to 2004, appointed by President Mary McAleese.
She received numerous honours, including the Meteor Humanitarian of the Year Award (2004) and honorary doctorates from the University of Limerick (2022), Trinity College Dublin, UCD, and the Open University.
She was also the successful author of numerous books, including her autobiography, The Road Home.
