In Loving Memory

Sister Una Davey SUSC       
(Sister Bridget Thomas)
August 16, 1940 – July 26, 2024

Sister Una Davey, SUSC (Sister Bridget Thomas) died July 26^th at Madonna Manor in North Attleboro, MA after a brief illness. Born in County Sligo, Ireland on August 16, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Bridget (Meehan) Davey. In addition to her Holy Union Sisters, she is survived by her brother Peter Davey of New Jersey, her long-time community member, Sr. Ann Kernan SUSC and her cousin Sr. Eileen Davey SUSC as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers Francis and Joseph Davey and sisters Mary (Davey) Smith and Sarah Davey.
In 1957 Una and her sister Sarah emigrated to the United States where they were welcomed to Astoria New York by their aunt and uncle Helen and Patrick Davey.
It was there at Immaculate Conception Parish that Sister Una first met the Holy Union Sisters. She entered the Holy Union Sisters on September 8, 1959, and pronounced her final vows on August 22, 1968. She attended the College of the Sacred Hearts and earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies from the College of New Rochelle School of New Resources. A life-long learner, Sister Una continued her education and professional and spiritual development through participation in many courses and workshops.
As a young religious, Sister Una taught in parish schools staffed by her religious community in Baltimore, MD and Astoria, NY. In 1972, she turned to social service ministries first as an Ombudsperson and Patient Advocate at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. While at Bellevue Hospital, she studied Spanish, a skill that would prove useful when she moved to Kentucky. Sister Una developed a talent for calligraphy and took great care in selecting meaningful quotations that she used on cards for many occasions, including a Christmas greeting sent to benefactors of the Holy Union Sisters. All who received her cards treasured their beauty and simplicity.
In 1995 she moved to Monticello, KY a rural Appalachian community and initially did literacy education and outreach to women. From 1997 to 2020 she was a member of the staff of Bethany House, an abuse shelter for women in Somerset, KY. Sr. Una served as a Eucharistic Minister and visitor to the homebound in St. Peter’s Parish in Monticello. During these years a growing number of migrants from Mexico and Central America came to Monticello and Sister Una became their strong advocate. She advocated with different government agencies and assisted migrants to find housing, work opportunities and health care. She also saw to their spiritual needs by providing transportation to a Spanish Sunday liturgy in Somerset each week. In addition to Spanish language, she studied Spanish culture and pastoral implications to assist in her ministry with immigrants.
In the spring of 2022, after many years of ministry to the people of Monticello, Sisters Una and Ann moved to Pawtucket RI. Sister Una continued to volunteer in the area as well as at St. Raymond’s Parish. Sister Una would have celebrated sixty-five years as a Holy Union Sister in September.
Sister Una’s funeral took place at Holy Name Church, Fall River on August 2nd. Burial at St. Patrick Cemetery followed the Mass of Christian Burial. Donations in Sister Una’s memory may be made to the Mission Advancement Office of the Holy Union Sisters, 205 Bedford Street, Fall River MA 02720.

Sister Una Davey’s Funeral Mass can be viewed here:  Video

Sister Una’s deep care and commitment to the poor and marginalized characterized her varied ministries. This care was grounded in a strong faith that is evident in the funeral liturgy which she lovingly prepared. We can rejoice that “she has fallen into the embrace of God” as Elizabeth Johnson describes death. This calligraphy quote from e.e. cummings that was by her bedside in her final illness captures Una’s life.
 

Sister Una’s biography can be downloaded HERE.  Biography Sister Una Davey