OBITUARY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1931, Page 4

OBITUARY

MOTHER MARY CLARE MALONY. AETAT 87 YEARS. Last evening at about 5 o’clock the “Angel of Death” paid his dreaded visit to the local Convent and peacefully, though suddenly, carried off the immortal spirti of the dearly (Loved Foundress and first Mother Superior of St. Columbkille’s Convent —the wellknown and highly gifted Mother >la:y Clare Molony. The venerable Mother had attained the . ripe age of 87 years and except that she had been a victim to rheumatism for some years, her general health had been excellent till a few w?eks ago, and her well-stored mind, to the very last was as clear as a hell. Her passing leaves a void tlirffc will be long felt within the Convent walls. Her keen mind kept in sympathetic touch with every detail of the work of the establishment. Sisters and pupils alike were all her fondly loved children. Her greatest pleasure was to have groups of either gathered round her. Mother Mary Clare was horn in the historic town of Ennis, County Clare, Ireland. From early childhood her intellectual gifts were remarkable. She received her early education at the Convent of Mercy in her native town. (Later she became a pupil of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, Rostrae. At the age of seventeen, having, completed a 'brilliant course, she joined the Sisters, of Mercy, St. Xavier’s, Ennis. There for the. next seventeen years sbe taught with wonderful suc-cess-loved and appreciated by her pupils—till, in answer to a call to this Southern Land, she sacrificed her beloved Convent Home, relations, friends, and country and came out here as the leader of the Pioneer Band of Sisters, who arrived in Hokitika on October loth., 1878. Her work throughout Westland as organiser and teacher is well known. She established Convents and Schools in Greymouth, Ross, and Kumara. also Schools in Kanieri and Rimu. These Convents and Schools she visited regularly for years, testing the religious and secular knowledge of the pupils, and she had an intimate personal acquaintance with every child from the lowest form to the highest. Hundreds of the men and women throughout Westland, and indeed, throughout New Zealand have still grateful recollections of her and of their school days’ connection with lier. They will unite 'hei Sorrowing Sisters in the earnest hope and prayer that the reward promised to. those “Who instruct many unto justice” may be her® for all eternity.^ The Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Parish Church or. Friday morning at 9.30 o’clock and the funeral will take place immediately after the- Mass.