BATTLING Limerick woman, Sister Maria Hickey is a Covid-19 miracle, having beaten the virus at 103 years of age to become Ireland’s oldest Coronavirus survivor.
Sr Marie, who has been a member of the Infant Jesus Sisters Order for 80 years, was stricken with the virus for three weeks and hospitalised after becoming ill in the nursing home where she lives in Cork.
Despite deep concern about the sports loving lady, doctors and staff are said to be delighted that she has come through and will hopefully be discharged shortly.
Doctors said she had no underlying medical concerns which greatly helped her chances.
A huge supporter of Munster Rugby, Sr Maria was this week walking with the aid of a frame and reportedly “in great spirits.”
Born a year before the 1918 Spanish flu epidemic, she celebrated her 103rd birthday on February 22.
She worked as a primary school teacher in Malaysia in her time and, her family say, adored her little students.
According to family members, she also loves following hurling and was a very keen gardener.
Part of her secret to good health, her niece Anne Linehan told the Irish Independent, is a mostly vegetarian diet and regular exercise.
She said that Sr Maria’s strong faith has been an immense part of her life, having entered the convent at just 19 years of age.
“Right now, she is up out of the bed and walking with her walking aid and eating and in great spirits. The doctors are hoping she will soon be back in the nursing home.”
As for her fine health “She has always taken care of herself and was always very conscious of what she ate, she would have eaten mostly vegetarian meals and always exercised.”
And her strong faith never wavered.
“She would up to very recently have always carried on saying her prayers.
“She went to a convent for her secondary education and when she was there she felt the calling to be a nun. I think she would have been 19 at the time. She truly is an exceptional lady.
“The entire Hickey, Maloney and Keane families are incredibly proud that this lady has come out the other end of her battle with COVID-19.
“She is some trooper.”
