A WOMAN who has spent 84 years as a nun has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Sister Marie Therese Sheehy marked her centenary at St Michael’s Convent and Care Home in Clacton on Wednesday.

Sister Marie is the oldest sister of the order of the Sisters of Mercy and became a nun when she was 16.

During her life, she has taught youngsters and helped the homeless in London.

She put her long life down to positivity and prayer.

Sister Marie was born at Skibbereen in County Cork, Ireland.

She said: “I was brought up the eldest of three children in Skibbereen and I’ve never lost the Cork accent,” she said.

“My father was a farmer – he owned three fields – and we had a shop on the street.

“The shop was situated at the entrance to the protestant church.

“I went to the convent school in Skibbereen run by the Sisters of Mercy and at the age of 12, I was confirmed.

“I went to the secondary modern school before I entered at 16 – and I have been a nun for 84 years.

“I entered at Alton Castle in Staffordshire and taught at the boys primary school.

“I was there until I retired from teaching and came out at the age of 60.

“When I was 60, I went down to East London to help people as part of a homelessness project in Crispin Street for two years. We helped to feed people in troubled circumstances.

They were poor people in a poor area, but I enjoyed helping them.

“I enjoyed being in London and exploring it. There was so much more freedom than what I was used to.

“I was good at finding my way around London on the buses.”

Sister Marie later moved to St Albans and then to the convent in Clacton.

She added: “I’ve had plenty of ups and downs, but you have to make the best of life.

“The prayers have helped me.”

Sister Marie enjoys music, concerts and painting and even studied A-Level Italian at the aged of 80.

She marked her birthday with mass and singing as well as a special meal for residents at the care home.

Sister Marie also received a letter of congratulations from Ireland’s president Michael D Higgins.