By Joseph Masilamany
Since arriving in then Malaya in 1954, Sister Enda Ryan (Sister Enda) was like a battery that was nowhere close to running out. She and her band of sisters from the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) hit the ground running, immediately after arrival.
Within months, led by Sister Enda, the missionaries set up the Ave Maria Welfare Clinic in Petaling Jaya, and also established the Assunta all-girls school in 1955. The clinic eventually transformed itself into the Assunta Hospital, the country’s first private medical facility which is still basking in the Franciscan brand of service.
For 31 years, with a continuous surge of fresh voltage within her, Sister Enda served as an iconic educator, being a teacher and headmistress of both, the Assunta primary and secondary schools which she founded.
When she retired in 1989, a string of accolades and honorific titles trailed after her, including one from the Sultan of Selangor, which earned her the title “Datin Paduka”.
Sister Enda passed away at the age of 96 on Sunday, 7 April 2024, leaving behind her missionary sisters and thousands of former students who instantaneously paid tribute to the educator, also known as “The Singing Nun”.
A glance at the Assunta Alumni portal reads like a mammoth eulogy hub—with former students singing praises to the once drum-beating, “whistle-blowing” Sister Enda. Yes, in school she always had a whistle between her lips to mobilise her students and keep them on their toes fully action-oriented.
Beyond being a teacher and headmistress, Sister Enda was the compelling morning “birdsong” to her girls, purposefully keeping them light-hearted and bubbly, especially during the notorious Monday blues.
A former student, Regina Morris of the class of ’79, tells Malaysiakini: “Because she loved singing, so much, she will sing at any opportunity she could get and even create a reason for a sing-song moment when the mood drives her.
“At events, be it official or social, Sister Enda will break into song, adept at singing ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’, ‘Danny Boy’, and‘Rasa Sayang’ or the universally accepted prayer-song of St Francis ‘Make Me An Instrument Of Peace’—all with equal gusto.”
Sister Enda also penned the lyrics for Assunta’s school song “Ad Veritatem Per Caritatem”(To Truth Through Charity) which continues to serve as a bonding anthem, uniting girls of the school since the 1950s till the present time and certainly into the future.
The Assunta Alumni is reminiscent of a miniature “Who’s Who”, registering several Malaysian bigwigs and corporate citizens as well as professionals from all walks of life.
Among them are former Bank Negara Governor, Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Aireen Omar former CEO of Air Asia (now Capital A), PKR Vice-President and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, andDr Jemilah Mahmood, former president of Mercy Malaysia to name a few.
Bouquets For A Towering Malaysian
Aireen wrote in the Assunta Alumni portal: “Thank you very much and rest in peace Sister Enda. You gave us a very safe space to explore and discover ourselves in our second home called Assunta.The appreciation of our diversity was deep. I made many friendshere from all races and religious backgrounds.
“We supported each other in every endeavour, debating, nature society, cross country, school band, volleyball, hockey, English literary night plays, campaigning and voting for our prefectorial board.
“However, most importantly is on how we discovered our vocal range of several octaves singing the school song. The song you wrote‘Ad Veritatem Per Caritatem’ is the very foundation of all Assuntarians today. Thank you Sister, for letting us be ‘us’ and be confident of who we are and the principles we stand and fight for,” said the corporate executive.
Another former student Ranee Suntharam wrote: “The Assunta DNA instilled by Sister Enda cannot be denied. In school we never thought nor perceived ourselves by our ethnic race, but Assunta taught us to celebrate our diversity.”
Dr Shaheeran Hayi, a gynaecologist in private practice lent her tribute, saying: “The inspiring headmistress taught us to love each other beyond race, religion and colour.”
Liza Nordeen, a fund coordinator and case manager with Refugee Emergency Fund stated that Sister Enda had a beautiful heart, and a great vision that helped to create lovely memories and the empowerment of girls to becoming towering Malaysians today.
According to another former student of the school, Vimalathevi Perumal, Sister Enda was such an inspirational, dedicated and passionate headmistress. “Her motherly love shined out through her, to touch everyone always. Her feistiness, zest and zeal for life and living was an inspiration that motivated all of us to live life to the fullest.
“All of us, her students owe this unique, great icon, immeasurable gratitude for shaping us to be good and responsible citizens of this nation,” added Vimalathevi.
Speaking to local media, Free Malaysia Today, Dr Jemilah Mahmood, the former president ofMercy Malaysia—an international NGO which provides medical relief during disasters said: “No one ever felt out of place and all students got along harmoniously, despite the diverse racial and religious backgrounds of Assunta’s pupils.”
“Sister Enda ‘definitely shaped me into who I am today’ by building my confidence and self-esteem in public speaking and developing in me an interest in charity work.
“Every student was allowed to practise their beliefs in a safe environment. That is how a school should be, where ethics, politeness, and respect were of prime importance.”
Another alumni of the school, teacher Asimah Amaluddin, said Sister Enda was kind, gracious and loving towards all her students. “As far as I can remember, we were never made to feel as ‘non-Christians’,” she said.
Epitome of School Motto
According to Asimah, Sister Enda epitomised Assunta School’s motto “Ad Veritatem Per Caritatem” (“To Truth Through Charity”).
“We were often reminded that we were all equal, in pursuing education and becoming independent,” said Asimah, who is now an English-language teacher at her former secondary school, Assunta.
Former Assunta principal Teresa Chan said Sister Enda inspired her to become an even better version of herself, “to be more compassionate, empathetic and to be a servant-leader.”
Beyond her excellence in teaching, Sister Enda also took time to pen the lyrics for the school’s anthem. The lyrics reflect the good sister’s love and aspiration for her students.
“It epitomises the ethos and values educators would seek to instil in their students,” Chan said.
Sister Enda was born Eileen Philomena Ryan on 30 December, 1928, in Galbally, County Limerick in Eire, Ireland. She joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1947 and arrived in then-Malaya in 1954 following a request by Sir Michael Hogan (the then-Chief Justice of Malaya) to set up schools to cater for girls whose education had been disrupted during the Communist insurgency in the country. Sister Enda had just earned her Bachelor in Arts and Higher Diploma in Education then.
She became a Malaysian citizen in October 1966—and since then had made significant contributions throughout her lifetime—from championing women’s education to assisting her Franciscan Missionaries of Mary sisters in the growth of the Ave Maria Welfare Clinic.
Through her 31 years of service to the nation, Sister Enda received several honorific awards including the Excellent Service Award from the Ministry of Education (1985), The Distinguished Service Award (1986),TheMeritorious Service Award from the Sultan of Selangor (1987) and The Teacher of The Year Award Selangor (1990). Sister Enda was also conferred an honorary doctorate in humanities from Taylor’s University in 2022.
The Totara Has Fallen In The Forest of Tane
In a paradigmatic metaphor, Assunta Alumni Mary Lim lends a classic tribute to what Sister Enda has been to the thousands of Assunta schoolgirls who had had the good fortune of being one of her students.
Lim explains that the native Totara tree of New Zealand is an outstanding species which can grow up to 30 metres in height and two metres in diameter. It is straight, strong and has many sturdy branches providing support and shelter in many different ways.
“The huge Māori waka taua (canoe) capable of carrying 100 warriors at a time is hollowed out from a single Totara tree. The tree also offers the best wood for carving and making crafts,” says Lim.
“‘Kua hinga te Totara i Te Waonui a Tane’ – in Maori language, it means ‘ATotara has fallen in the great forest of Tane’ (Native God of The Forest).
“‘Sister Enda is that mighty Totara that has fallen after havingcarried us swiftly in the waka (Assunta Schools). Her spirit embodies truth, charity, peace and joy. Thank you Sister Enda, and as Heaven listens to the resounding echoes of ‘Ad Veritatem Per Caritatem’ may we do you proud wherever we are, as a gift of gratitude to your nobility, chieftainship and social solidarity.
“Continue to keep an eye on us from Heaven, and don’t forget to blow that whistle, if things get a bit rowdy up there!
“Rest in peace Sister Enda.”
