Focus Ireland founder Sr Stan dies aged 86

Sr Stan founded Focus Point, now Focus Ireland, in 1985. File Picture

Social campaigner and Focus Ireland founder Sister Stanislaus Kennedy has died at the age of 86.

The 86-year-old, who was known as Sr Stan, passed away at St Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown, on Monday.

The Religious Sisters of Charity described Sr Stan as a "powerful voice for compassion, equality, and systemic change throughout her life. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, co-workers and the congregation". 

Sr Patricia Lenihan, superior general of the Religious Sisters of Charity, said that while there is deep sadness at the loss of Sr Stan, "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".

Taoiseach Micheál Martin led tributes to her as “a passionate advocate for helping those in need”.

“I met her many times over the years and always admired her tireless advocacy and her ability to inform policy. She had great energy,” he said.

“She was a true Christian who dedicated her life to helping those on the margins.”

Born Treasa Kennedy near Lispole on the Dingle Peninsula, Sr Stan became a member of the congregation of Religious Sisters of Charity in 1958.

In the 1960s, she was missioned to Kilkenny to work alongside Bishop Peter Birch in developing Kilkenny Social Services, where she remained for 19 years. 

In 1974, the Government appointed Sr Stan as the first chair of The National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty. In 1985, the European Commission appointed her as transnational co-ordinator in the European rural anti-poverty programme, working right across Europe.

In 1985, Sr Stan established Focus Point, now called Focus Ireland, the biggest national, voluntary organisation helping people to find, create and maintain a home.

She founded a spirituality centre in Dublin City known as The Sanctuary in 1998, and three years later, she helped establish the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), an independent national organisation working to promote the rights of immigrants.

She also served on the Council of State from 1997 to 2004, appointed by President Mary McAleese.

'A courageous voice for social change'

Sr Lenehan said Sr Stan had "devoted her life to helping others". 

"She was a leading advocate and activist for change, working tirelessly to support the homeless, immigrants, and those in disadvantaged communities throughout Ireland and beyond," she said.

"Throughout her life, Sr Stan was a courageous force for social change. She challenged the status quo and consistently voiced her informed views to influence policy and promote justice."

Focus Ireland CEO Pat Dennigan said Sr Stan was a visionary, a tireless advocate, and "a compassionate force for change whose legacy will forever shape the heart, soul, and values of Focus Ireland".

Sister Stanislaus Kennedy. File Picture: Sasko Lazarov/Photocallireland

"Her amazing energy along with her unwavering commitment to ending homelessness saw Focus Ireland grow over the years to the leading housing and homelessness charity it is today," he said.

Mr Dennigan said Sr Stan's work had "changed so many thousands of lives — not only through the services Focus Ireland provides, but through the hope and humanity she brought to every encounter she had with people who were often at their lowest point in life having become homeless".

"Sr Stan’s energy and vision also led her to found a number of other organisations which work for social justice in Ireland, including Immigrants Council of Ireland, Young Social Innovators and the Sanctuary and we share out loss with them," he added.

"Sr Stan’s legacy will live on, and her vision will continue to guide us. We will not see her like again that is for sure."

ICI chief executive Teresa Buczkowska said Sr Stan was “a courageous and intrepid woman”.

“Sr Stan understood how important it is for every human being to have a sense of home, and the challenges facing migrants in a new country.

“As a migrant woman myself, I am immensely proud to continue her legacy through the work of the Immigrant Council, but we will miss her guidance, courage, and strength. I will miss her.” 

Tánaiste Simon Harris said Sr Stan was "a formidable force in public life" and someone who "devoted her life to tirelessly advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable people in Irish society". 

Mr Harris said Focus Ireland was an organisation "built on the empathy she herself exuded".

"I found it inspirational when I met Sr Stan as Taoiseach to discuss our ongoing housing challenges and she continued to display all the same passion and determination as she had for all of her long years of service to those in need, and most particularly women," he said.

"She made an immeasurable impact on Irish society. The country will be lesser for her passing. May she rest in peace."