Annie entered the Sisters of Compassion on 7 June, 1918, while Mother Aubert was still away in Rome. On 19 February, 1919, Annie began her Novitiate, and received her Religious name Sister Mary Margaret. Mother Aubert was present at her Profession on 19 March, 1921, and Archbishop Redwood was the celebrant.
Sister Margaret obtained her State Examination in General Nursing in December, 1928, and early in 1933 was transferred to Whanganui. She did not stay there long before returning to Island Bay. During 1936, Sister Margaret was transferred to Auckland and then to Silverstream.
In 1945, Sister went as Sister-in-Charge of a community of five to attend to the domestic arrangements at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel. Sister Margaret remained there until the Sisters of St Joseph Cluny relieved the Sisters of Compassion at the Seminary four years later.
Sister spent most of her life at Silverstream. She was a gentle soul and was well loved by the patients she cared for and the people with whom she came in contact. She had great devotion to the chronically sick, and had a maternal way in treating others.
Sister Margaret was very good at making vests (stocks) for priests and over the years she would have made many. She had two nephews who were priests and her sister was a nun, Sister Eulogius.
Although she became very stooped in later years and could no longer stand erect, she always maintained her dignity; she was an exemplary Religious and true Sister of Compassion to the last.
For some years before her death, Sister lived in the Infirmary at Silverstream. Though she was not actually sick, she had to be helped a great deal, and was forced to use a wheel chair. On the morning of her death, the Sisters had dressed her for Mass, and were just positioning her in the chair prior to taking her to the Chapel when she collapsed and died. Her sudden passing was a shock to all as it was so unexpected. Sister had celebrated her 80th birthday just a week previously. Her Requiem Mass was at St. Joseph’s Home of Compassion, Silverstream.
Born Entered Professed Died Place of Death Place of Burial
12.10.1893 07.06.1918 19.03.1921 19.10.1973 Silverstream Karori Cemetery
