Noreen Kerins

Deceased Sisters

Noreen Kerins - New Zealand
10/09/1927 - 26/09/2017

Noreen Monica Kerins was born in Masterton, New Zealand, daughter of Esther Mary McArley, a dressmaker, and Thomas Martin Kerins, a farmer. Noreen told us that she was a “land girl” before entering so it is probable that she supported her Dad on the farm. Noreen’s primary schooling was at Fernbridge school, Masterton, and her secondary education was at St Bride’s, also in Masterton, from 1941 till 1944. St Bride’s was a Brigidine school.

Noreen entered the Marist Sisters’ novitiate in Karori in 1947 and made her first vows there on the 19^th May 1949 as Sister Clement. She was perpetually professed on 22^nd December, 1953, at Waitaruke in Northland, where the Marist Sister had a boarding school for Maori children.

Subsequently Noreen lived and ministered in Herne Bay, Putaruru, Mount Albert, Te Huahua then back at Waitaruke. She was at Woolwich, Sydney, from 1973-1979. From 1987 till 2009 she ministered in various places in the North of New Zealand: Kaikohe, Rawene and Kerikeri. Her last years before a fall made it necessary for her to be cared for at Mary McKillop care Home in Mission bay, were spent at Mount albert.

Noreen’s ministries were varied. She was a gardener, a dormitory matron, a cook, a teacher, a bursar and a superior. In Northland Noreen was tireless in her visits to the lonely, the sick, the dying and the aged. It was in this ministry that her compassionate heart was most obvious. Even in the last years of her life in Mary McKillop she visited those who were more disabled or ill than herself every day. She also kept in contact not only with her family and Sisters but also with quite a few people whom she had supported in the North.

Noreen asked to be buried from Mary McKillop and so it was there that her Sisters, friends and relations gathered for her farewell. The Eucharist was celebrated by Father Gerald Whiteford SM. From there she was taken to Panmure to be buried with so many other Marist Sisters who had gone before her.

May she rest in peace.

Deceased Sisters

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