SAN ANTONIO -- A San Antonio woman born in Ireland is received lots of birthday wishes Thursday for her 100th birthday. The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word threw a centennial celebration in honor of their fellow sister Mary Eustace Farrell.
- Nearly 100 people attended celebration
- Moved to join Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1937
- Sisters established University of the Incarnate Word
There was a room filled with nearly 100 people at the Village of Incarnate Word for the celebration.
Farrell was raised in Ireland before moving to the U.S. to join the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1937. Just over 80 years later, she's left a trailblazing legacy for her family and home country.
Part of Thursday's birthday festivities included a special visit from the Consul-General of Ireland, who presented flowers and a centenarian bounty from the president of Ireland.
"It’s a great honor for me to be here today on behalf of the president and people of Ireland, really to celebrate this amazing milestone that sister Mary Eustace has reached," said Claire McCarty, the Irish Consul-General. "What she’s achieved in her lifetime is pretty substantial."
Farrell spent most of her career in health care working as a nurse and administrator before later becoming a chaplain. Her busy career never stopped her from staying close to those who mean the most.
"Most of the communication was through letter writing," said Mary O'Reilly, Farrell's niece visiting from Ireland. "So as young girl, I was always aware of this wonderful woman who was doing so much great work over here in San Antonio and Corpus Christi."
The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word established the Incarnate Word Academy in 1881, known today as the University of the Incarnate Word.