Sr Colette Stevenson passed away peacefully on Friday last 25/04/2025 at the wonderful age of 82 years. Sr Colette was a Presentation Sister with a passion for child protection and family support that began during her time as a teacher and school board member. Feeling through her extensive experience that parents and families received little support at times of tragedy, she took her typical firm action and turned her attention to studying for a master’s in marriage and family therapy. It was during her work in this area she started to note child protection concerns and by 1995, Sr Colette, at the request of CORI (Conference of Religious of Ireland), became Director of the Conference of Religious of Ireland Child Protection Office. Moving to the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI) in 2008 as Director of Professional Standards and then onto the Board of Directors in 2013, she worked tirelessly with compassion, kindness and empathy to grow the concept of child safeguarding within the Church. Sr Colette retired from her role as a Board member of the NBSCCCI in July 2024 but continued to support with her well-known practical guidance and wisdom on the National Case Management Committee (NCMC).
Sr Colette will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with her through her many roles in the child protection and safeguarding through the years.
