Marna entered the Sisters of Compassion, Island Bay, on 23 January 1932, and began her Novitiate under the guidance of Sister Gertrude and Sister Zitaon the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, 8 September, 1932. Her Religious name was Sister Mary Kevin.
She was Professed on 15 September, 1934, and immediately began her nursing training in our Hospital, passing the State Examination in General Nursing. Sister completed her Maternity then Midwifery training at St. Helen’s Hospital in December, 1941, and June, 1942.
Shortly after completing her exams, Sister became Matron of the Hospital Section, a position she held for the next twenty years. Mr. Rolland O’Regan later said of her: “……Sister Kevin worked to improve nursing and especially operating room techniques together with her colleagues at Wellington Hospital and at Calvary Hospital. Sister Kevin was forward thinking with a mind wide open to new knowledge, new methods and new ideas. Sister Kevin wanted the Home of Compassion Hospital to be an efficient modern unit with the best nursing standards in Wellington….She was a wonderful woman, a wonderful Religious and a wonderful friend. The Sisters she trained will never forget her and her influence will be felt in the Order for many years.”
Sister Kevin was in Timaru when she died. She had been suffering for some time, and on Saturday, 22 September, she became very dizzy and distressed. She was rushed to the hospital, where the priest anointed her and gave her the Last Blessing. She died shortly afterwards.
Sister’s body was brought back to Island Bay, and the Requiem Mass was offered on the following Tuesday. Many of the doctors and nurses who knew her attended, and the Chapel was filled to over-flowing. It was a magnificent tribute to Sister Kevin, a good Religious and a good nurse.
Birth Entered Professed Died Place of Death Place of Burial
01.05.1909 23.1.1932 15.09.1934 22.09.1973 Timaru Karori Cemetery
