The Maths class ‘Battleship’: Remembering Sr. June Shirville, the FMDM Teacher Who Changed Lives

As the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) Sisters are celebrating 75 years of their presence in Singapore this year, we often think of the wonderful work the Sisters have done as doctors, nurses and medical personnel, including the founding of Assisi Hospice. However, as we celebrate Teacher’s Day, we would like to pay tribute to those among them who worked as teachers in colleges and the seminary.
One such Sister was Sr June Shirville, a strong, larger than life personality who taught Mathematics in Catholic Junior College (CJC) in the 70s and 80s. She was an excellent teacher as her students would attest to, and a most exacting one as well. By the time Sr June arrived in Catholic Junior College, she had been a missionary in Africa, novice mistress in England and a teacher of Science and Mathematics at the Leprosarium in Trafalgar Home in Singapore.
Some of Sr June’s students remember her fondly, as in the case of Dr Euan Murugasu. Dr Euan kept up his correspondence with Sr June after he left CJC. He also visited her many years ago in Ladywell, United Kingdom where Sr June resides today.
He shared, “I hated Mathematics. She threatened me once -‘Young man, if you’re not going to do your Maths homework you can leave my class and don’t come back.’ Well, I got her an A for my A level Maths so all was forgiven and we became good friends. I nicknamed her ‘battleship’. Today, I am an ENT surgeon.”
The Sisters were always attentive to those most in need and would be ready to reach out, not sparing any effort. This was clear in the character of Sr June. She was present, walking alongside and supporting whoever needed her help. The quality of the FMDM presence over these 75 years is impossible to quantify as they touched countless lives by their loving and selfless presence in schools, hospital and aged care homes and parishes.