Sister Delphina, Muriel’s younger sister later became a Sister of Compassion.
Muriel entered the Sisters of Compassion, Island Bay, in 1909, and received her religious name Sister Damien when she became a novice. Sister Damian was Professed on 19 March, 1912, and made her Religious Profession on 19 March, 1918.
Sister Damian worked mostly with the babies and children while at Island Bay. In December, 1913, she was transferred to St. Vincent’s Home in Auckland as Treasurer. When the Home was closed in 1915, she went to Ranana to assist Sister Dolores in the school there. Sister Damian was later in charge of the school.
During the thirty years Sister Damian was on the Whanganui River, she taught at either Jerusalem or Ranana, she also taught the children music. She was always interested in people and affairs, and kept her mind alerted to all that went on about her. In 1945 Sister was transferred to Wanganui as Treasurer, and later became Sister in Charge. In 1951 she was transferred to Auckland where she was once more Treasurer. During 1962 she celebrated her Golden Jubilee of Profession in Auckland.
Sister Damien was diagnosed as having cancer in 1971, but she wanted to remain in Auckland. Sister Delphina went up to be with her sister, and they both worked quietly together in the infirmary, sorting and packing stamps for the Fiji Mission, and making toys and clowns for various garden parties. She never wasted a minute. Unfortunately she had a stroke and lost the power of her right arm and leg. Sister was now confined to bed where she prayed incessantly, she had a great spirit of prayer.
Sister died very peacefully on the 31 January, 1972, in the presence of a number of Sisters of Compassion. Sister Damian was in the eighty-fifth year of her age and the sixtieth of her religious profession.
Born Entered Professed Died Place of Death Place of Burial
18.02.1887 17.09.1909 19.03.1912 31.01.1972 Auckland Panmure Cemetery
