Devoted nun Sister Clare Theresa Crockett with children at a school in Playa Prieta
THE family of Sister Clare Theresa Crockett have expressed their deep gratitude for all the help and words of comfort since the nun’s tragic death following a huge earthquake in Ecuador.
The 33-year-old died as she tried to shepherd young children out of a school building last Saturday.
But tragedy struck when the staircase they were on collapsed beneath them.
A Crowdfunding page has been set up and so far has received donations totalling over £4,000.
But it now appears more donations are needed to repatriate her remains because of the huge cost involved in flying her back to Derry.
From Derry’s Brandywell area, Sister Clare had devoted the last 15 years of her life to good deeds, helping the poor and devoting life to God and her Home of the Mother Order.
Her family are very proud of her work in South America, have been devastated by her loss but are also deeply moved by the support they have received at home from the people of Derry and further afield.
In a statement issued, Sr Clare’s relatives said:
“We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have contacted our family, visited the family home and donated to the effort to bring Sister Clare home to Derry.
“We are currently working towards Clare’s repatriation alongside the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Kevin Bell Trust who have given us so much support, and our local undertakers Carr Family Funeral Directors.
“This complicated process could take some time due to the state of infrastructure following the earthquake in Ecuador.
“The people of Derry have stood shoulder to shoulder with us and we are immensely grateful.
“We are very grateful to Fr Graham and Fr Brendan for their support both spiritually and the assistance from the Parish to help support the financial burden in bringing Clare’s remains home.
“In spite of so much generosity, the cost of bringing Clare home has not yet been reached.
“So we will continue to fundraise, working with the Kevin Bell Trust who will provide the necessary assistance and should our fundraising yield more than is necessary to bring our beloved Clare home the monies raised will be used by the Trust to assist anyone else who may find themselves in a similar situation.
“We offer this clarification regarding the only purpose of our fundraising at this time as we were advised when Clare passed away that the family would have to pay for Clare to come home.”
The family have also say they understand and appreciate that many people want to come to the family home to lend their support and their condolences.
“But given the time they have to wait before we can have a proper wake and funeral, that they be given some time to grieve before Clare comes home when everyone is welcome to come and pay their respects”.
“At this time we are asking for the family home to be private from 10pm to 10am,” they said.
Sister Clare Theresa Crockett who died in an earthquake in Ecuador at the weekend
