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Sister Ambrose Pender
Jessie Jane was the daughter of John and Ellen Pender. She was born in Greymouth just prior to the outbreak of World War I. Jessie spent her early childhood years in the small mining township of Runanga within the loving environment of her large family of five sisters and four brothers…
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Sister Alphonsus Fay
Elizabeth Fay was born at Mount Bolton, Victoria, Australia on 10 September, 1875. She came to New Zealand to visit her sister, Mrs. Dollimure, who lived at Reefton. There she met Dean Rolland and Fr. Hickson, and it was through the latter that she was directed to the Sisters of Compassion…
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Sister Mary Catherine Heagney
Mary Catherine Heagney was born on 31 May, 1913 in Dublin, Ireland. She came to New Zealand with her family at the end of May, 1921, so she was old enough to retain clear memories of her early childhood in Ireland…
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Sister Agnes Brownlie
Bridget Brownlie was born in Rangitikei, on the 25 February, 1869. She was the sister of Sister M. Bridget. Bridget Brownlie entered as a postulant at Jerusalem in April, 1890 and began her Novitiate on the 19 March, 1891. Her religious name was Sister Mary Agnes…
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Sister Agatha Davies
Mary Mercier daughter of John and Lucy Davies was born in Brooklyn, Wellington. Her only sibling, John pre-deceased her in 1984. After leaving school she was employed as an office assistant in the departmental store of J R McKenzie…
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Sister Alacoque Walsh
Mary Florence was born on 25 April, 1904, at Momona, Taiera. Her parents were Patrick Walsh and Mary Anne Walsh (nee Casey). While Mary was still a baby, her father moved to a farm at Edendale where she was brought up. Mary entered the Sisters of Compassion on 13 August, 1930, and was given the religious name of Sister Mary Alacoque…
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Sister Angela Moller
Johanna Christina Mary Moller was born in Greymouth on 15 June, 1876. Her parents were Soren Christopher William Moller and Julia Teresa Moller (nee McMahon). Johanna entered the Sisters of Compassion at St. Joseph’s Home, at Buckle Street on 27 February, 1907…
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Sister Catherine Hannan
I work in the Compassion Centre Soup Kitchen in inner Wellington. One evening one of our guests confided that Eddie (another guest) would like to take me to the films but the first man thought my husband would be the problem. “Oh,” I said blithely, “my husband won’t be a problem” and then quickly realised I’d better explain before my response caused further confusion…
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Sister Adrian Flannery
Helen Rose Flannery, born in Richmond near Oamaru was the third daughter of John and Mary Flannery. Baptised Helen Rose, she lived on the family farm with her three sisters and three brothers before moving to Makikihi where they received their primary education…
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Sister Adelma
Anastasia Mary Corby was born at Addison’s Flat, Westland, on the 18 July, 1891. Stasia [as she was affectionately called] was the eldest of a family of eight. When she was about 17 years old, both her father and mother died, and she was left with the heavy burden of literally bringing up the remainder of her family…
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Sister Shirley Tunnicliffe
I was born in Owaka. My parents are Margaret and Cyril Tunnicliffe. I was christened Margaret Shirley but from day one I have been called Shirley. I am the eldest of four children, two brothers and one sister. On reaching school age the family moved to Oamaru where I received all my education…
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Sister Sarto Serinea Maramaoiri
I was born at the Natovi Catholic Mission. Erenato Seruvwaqavou my father used to work there and he frequently travelled with the Vincentian Fathers when they said Mass in the scattered villages. My mother Alevina Tinaikoroi was a devout Catholic…