Tributes paid to ‘visionary’ campaigner Sister Stan after her death at 86

Tributes have been paid to social justice campaigner and Focus Ireland founder Sister Stan, who has died aged 86.

Stanislaus Kennedy died following a short illness at the St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown on Monday morning, according to statements from the Religious Sisters of Charity and Focus Ireland.

The order’s superior general, Sister Patricia Lenihan, said the congregation were “deeply saddened” by her death.

Taoiseach Micheal 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.”

President Michael D Higgins said she was “a deeply committed campaigner for the vulnerable and marginalised in our society, and a fearless advocate for human rights and equality.

“Telling the truth of inequality required a woman of immense courage and vision. She was that.”

And said she had made a “profound” contribution to Irish society.

He also said her “many books and writings provided a further source of policy, inspiration, solace and support for so many”.

Former Irish president Mary McAleese, who appointed Sister Stan to the Council of State from 1997 to 2004, said she was “the most humble person” and a “powerhouse” who had left behind a “phenomenal engine” of a legacy behind her.

Sister Stan, who was born as Treasa Kennedy, grew up on a farm on the Dingle Peninsula in Co Kerry.

She joined the Religious Sisters of Charity in 1958 after being inspired by the work of its founder Mary Aikenhead at the age of 18.

She was missioned to Kilkenny where she spent 19 years developing the county’s social services.

In 1974, the government appointed her the first chair of the National Committee on Pilot Schemes to Combat Poverty.

She moved to Dublin where, in 1985, she founded Focus Point, now called Focus Ireland, following her research into the needs of women in homelessness in Dublin in the 1980s.

The same year, she was appointed by the European Commission to co-ordinate a rural anti-poverty programme right across Europe.

She also founded other entities: a meditation centre called The Sanctuary in 1998; the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) in 2001, and the Young Social Innovators (YSI) in 2021, an initiative to encourage students to be more socially engaged.

“Sister Stan was a powerful voice for compassion, equality, and systemic change throughout her life,” Sister Lenihan said.

“She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, co-workers and the congregation.

“While there is a deep sadness, 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.”

She said: “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.

“Throughout her life, Sister 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.”

Chief executive of Focus Ireland Pat Dennigan said they were “heartbroken” at the death of their “beloved” founder and Life President.

“We would like to express our thanks to all the medical staff who showed great care for Stan in recent times.

“Sr Stan, as she was affectionately known, 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.

“Sr Stan founded Focus Ireland in 1985 with a simple but profound vision: that everyone has the right to a place they can call home.

“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 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.”

Chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland Teresa Buczkowska said Sister 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.”

Tanaiste Simon Harris paid tribute to her as “a formidable force in public life” and that Focus Ireland was an organisation “built on the empathy she herself exuded”.

He said: “Sr Stan was always guided in her work by her faith and her compassion for others.

“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.

“She made an immeasurable impact on Irish society.”

Housing Minister James Browne said Sister Stan was “an incredible activist and advocate”.

He said: “I last met her in May, as the charity she founded – Focus Ireland – were turning the sod of new social and affordable homes in Cabra, a typical example of the valuable difference she and her charity continued to make to help the most disadvantaged.

“Sr Stan sought, throughout her entire life, to ensure the voices of those most marginalised or forgotten, including those who are homeless or new to this country, were raised. She charged the State to do better and deliver more, and she was right.”

Offering her condolences. the Social Democrat’s leader, Holly Cairns TD, said: “Sister Stan’s spirit of generosity and charity touched us all. She will be remembered for her compassion, courage and steadfast refusal to accept poverty and homelessness as societal norms.”

The Labour Party’s Housing spokesperson, Conor Sheehan TD, said: “Sr Stan’s passing marks the loss of one of Ireland’s most extraordinary social reformers. Her vision and humanity transformed how we as a society respond to people in need.”