Sr. Nell Murray, MSC (AKA, Sr. Philomena) was born September 29, 1933, at Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland. She died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on October 24, 2026, at 11:55 AM.

Sr. Nell was preceded in death by her father, James Murray and her mother, Mary Collins Murray; by her brothers, John, Michael, James, and Patrick; and by her sisters, Kitty Crowley, Hannah Donovan and Sr. Mary Murray, MSC.

She is survived by her nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and their families. She is also survived by the faithful friends who journeyed with her throughout her life in her varied ministries.

Sr. Nell entered the Congregation of the Marianites of Holy Cross on November 14, 1952. She pronounced her perpetual vows on August 13, 1957. She received her degree in education from Holy Angels Academy and Our Lady of Holy Cross College, her master’s degree in education from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas and a master’s degree in religious education from Loyola University in New Orleans.

She was involved in education at several schools in the New Orleans area including St. Cecilia, St. Mary of the Angels and Holy Name of Mary. She also taught in Eunice, Morgan City, Plaquemine, Arnaudville, Lake Charles, Opelousas and St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs, MS.

She served as principal at St. Alphonsus in Ocean Springs and at St. Edmund in Eunice. In 1990, she was recognized as the outstanding principal of the Lafayette Diocese.

Following a call from the Marianites for mission service, she served in education in Dominica, West Indies from 1990-1991. Upon returning from Dominica, she ministered at St. Rita Parish in Alexandria where she served as Director of Religious Education. Following her many years in Alexandria serving in both the school and parish, she moved to Prompt Succor Convent in Opelousas in 2019.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) was one of her favorite scripture passages. This conviction enabled her to leave her family and homeland of Ireland, to enter a religious congregation in another country, to immerse herself in a new culture, to say “yes” to the guidance and direction of her religious superiors, and to find fulfillment and happiness in vowed religious life. While holding fast to these words, Sr. Nell delighted in the success of her students in the classroom and in the spiritual growth of the people in the parish. She journeyed with many in sacramental preparation, in liturgical celebrations, and as coordinator of the OCIA program (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). Through this program, she assisted many on their journey in entering the Catholic Church. Following their initiation process, she continued to be present to them, and she encouraged them to be active members of the parish while reminding them to do all things through Christ, the strength of their lives.

After a brief illness, she entered Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home on August 7, 2026. Even as her bodily strength declined, her spirit remained strong and resolute. She spent extended periods of time in the chapel praying for the needs and intentions of others. Certainly, her prayer for us continues and includes the words of her dear St. Patrick, saint of Ireland. May Christ be with you, before you, behind you. May Christ be in you, beneath you, above you. May Christ be on your right, on your left, when you lie down, when you sit down. May Christ be in the heart of everyone who thinks of you, in the mouth of everyone who speaks of you, in the eye that sees you, in the ear that hears you. May you arise each day through the mighty strength of the Lord of Creation.

At the end of her mortal life and beginning of her eternal life, the spiritual treasures of her fidelity to prayer, devotion to family and friends, and dedication to her religious vocation as a Marianite of Holy Cross are the treasures which she generously offers to each of us. Thank you, Sr. Nell, you have also been our treasure! As you enter eternal life, we pray: May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold us all in the palm of His hand.

To celebrate her life, a wake service will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, in the chapel at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 AM in the same chapel followed by burial in St. Landry Cemetery in Opelousas, Louisiana.

We are grateful to the staff of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home for their compassionate care of Sr. Nell. We also thank LHC hospice staff who graciously assisted in her care at the end of her life.

In lieu of flowers, the Marianites of Holy Cross request that memorial donations be made to the Marianites of Holy Cross at the Congregational Center, 75520 Hwy 1081 Covington, Louisiana, 70435.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.