Celebrating Call the Midwife’s ‘joyful spirit’, Sister Monica Joan – RIP!

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From the very beginning of the popular BBC drama Call the Midwife, it was obvious that Sister Monica Joan (played by Judy Parfitt) truly loved life. Her zest for living was one of her most endearing qualities.

When new nurse Jennifer Lee (Jessica Raine) arrived at Nonnatus House, Sister Julienne was greeted by a lively and imaginative mind – Jennifer was playfully wondering if a plane flying overhead might actually be a spaceship and spoke of potential visitors from outer space.

She quickly brought Jenny inside and almost made her eat the cake the other nuns had secretly stashed away, hoping to prevent her from eating it all herself. Sister Monica Joan happily joined in, her eyes sparkling with playful defiance and delight.

Throughout the show’s fifteen seasons, Sister Monica Joan maintained a cheerful and vibrant personality, even as she grew older. Despite being in her nineties and facing declining health, her joyful spirit remained strong, seeming to energize her even until the very end.

Just days before she died, she wasn’t sad or gloomy. Instead, she was enjoying life and trying new things – she happily sipped her first gin and tonic, and declared she loved it.

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Sister Monica Joan was a bright and inspiring presence, both in the roles she played and in her personal life. She faced challenges with unwavering spirit and brought happiness to others, protecting them with her strong love and resilience.

Beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the 1970s, Call the Midwife has challenged its characters with many hardships. Throughout a period of great change, Sister Monica Joan has remained a steadfast source of wisdom and hope, offering guidance to those around her without ever losing faith.

This wasn’t a lesson taught with words, but shown through example – a tradition passed down, both in front of and behind the camera, to those feeling worn down by hardship.

She changed how older characters are portrayed on screen. While her memory and physical health were failing, her worth as a person remained strong.

She fiercely defended Nurse Phyllis Crane (Linda Bassett) when the board of health tried to force her to retire due to her age, using her wit and direct language to great effect. This season, she even used her walking stick as a protective barrier, shielding vulnerable children from their abusive parents who stormed into Nonnatus House to take them.

Though she could no longer deliver babies herself, her experience as a midwife wasn’t wasted. She became a valuable resource for newer midwives, helping them navigate difficult cases. Beyond her medical skills, her compassionate nature brought comfort to an elderly man during his final days over Christmas, offering a unique and meaningful connection that others couldn’t.

Despite being a deeply religious nun, she had a mischievous side. Remember her playful tricks – like blocking doors, sneaking biscuits, and even running away to Scotland with some of the midwives when she was specifically ordered to remain at Nonnatus House?

Her rebellious spirit, though occasionally mischievous, was also her greatest strength. Even as she neared the end of her life, she didn’t see death as frightening, but rather embraced it with a calm and accepting heart.

She transformed the fans’ sadness over this significant loss into thankfulness. We’re grateful for all the time we had with this wonderful character – learning from them, sharing laughter and tears, and enjoying their presence. Their impact on the show will never be forgotten.

Call the Midwife airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.

Read more Call the Midwife news on our dedicated homepage

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2026-03-10 18:19