Sister Maureen: A Life Devoted to Faith and Care

A memorial service for Sister Maureen will take place on Friday 15th August at 2pm at United Didsbury Methodist Church, Parrs Wood Road, East Didsbury M20 5QQ.

Sister Maureen O’Driscoll, a member of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters, died in Franciscan Convent, Blackburn on 11th June 2025 aged 72 years.

As an original member of the nursing team at Francis House Children’s Hospice, Sister Maureen’s impact on the care provided to seriously ill young people and their families has been invaluable.

Born and raised in Manchester, Sister Maureen trained as a nurse while living at the Our Lady of Lourdes Convent on Parrswood Road, Didsbury, which was also home to the Catholic Children’s Rescue Society.

In 1989, the Rescue Society expanded its services to provide respite care for children with disabilities in foster care. This led to the identification of the need for a children’s hospice in Manchester.

In 1990, Sister Maureen and the Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph (the ‘Rescue’ sisters) gave up their home to be converted into Francis House Children’s Hospice.

After completing her three-year general nursing training, Sister Maureen spent 12 months at Wythenshawe Hospital undertaking consolidation training, which she completed in the summer of 1990, when she also took her final vows.

Eager to raise awareness about the new children’s hospice, Sister Maureen met Margaret Hickie, an experienced healthcare professional, during a health visitor placement at Booth Hall. Margaret later became Francis House’s first Head of Care and Registered Manager.

Sister Maureen continued her work in Didsbury as a qualified nurse and devoted more than thirty-five years of her life to Francis House, caring for sick children and young people with love and devotion. In the last ten years she moved to 463 and used her vast experience to help to establish the first residential property for young people with life-limiting conditions.

She was also instrumental in the opening of a second residential property at 92 Barcicroft Road, only retiring in February due to her ill health. Sister Maureen was devoted to the care of the children and young people within the Francis House Family, and she will be sadly missed.

She was deeply passionate about the growth of the hospice and the care provided to teenagers and young people with life-limiting conditions. She took great pride in the fact that families from all backgrounds, regardless of faith, were welcomed.

Sister Maureen will be remembered for her compassion, sense of humour, and her unwavering devotion to her faith and the service of others.

Dermot Murphy, registered manager of 463 and 92, said: “Sister Maureen was a steady, compassionate presence whose work quietly changed lives. She built spaces of care and belonging, always putting others first and leading with kindness and conviction. Her legacy is one of quiet strength, deep compassion, and unwavering service.”

Rachael Taylor CEO of Francis House who knew and worked with Sister Maureen for over thirteen years said: “Sister Maureen was a valued and devoted member of staff and she will be missed by all of her colleagues, volunteers and the families, children and young people she has cared for over the years.”

Sister Maureen’s funeral will take place on July 3rd at 10 a.m. at St Mark’s Church, Swinton, Salford, M27 6BY.