Head of Missionaries of Charity Sister Nirmala Passes Away in Kolkata. She was 81


KOLKATA: Sister Nirmala Joshi, who succeeded Mother Teresa as the head of the Missionaries of Charity founded by the Nobel laureate, died here this morning. She was 81.


A Missionaries of Charity official said Sister Nirmala was not keeping well for the past few days and her health was gradually deteriorating.

Her body would be brought to Mother House tomorrow morning and the funeral will be held at 4 PM.

"Any one who wants to pay respect can come to Mother House tomorrow", the official said.

 On March 13, 1997, six months before Mother Teresa's death, Sister Nirmala was selected the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity.

Sister Mary Prema was elected to succeed Sister Nirmala during a general chapter held in Calcutta in April 2009.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Sister Nirmala's death.

"Saddened at the passing of Sister Nirmala, who headed Missionaries of Charity after Mother Teresa. Kolkata and the world will miss her," Banerjee said in a statement.