Obituary REV. MOTHER MARY DOMITILLE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28618, 21 June 1958, Page 2

Obituary REV. MOTHER MARY DOMITILLE

Although she had been failing in health for some years the death of Mother Mary St. Domitille was unexpected last evening Mother Mary Domitille (the former Mary Margaret Hickey) was born in Opunake in 1882 and after secondary education entered the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions. She completed her studies at Canterbury University College where the graduated M.A. in 1915. She was senior scholar in history in 1914. In her studies Mother Mary Domitille was closely associated with Sir James Hight and they remained lifelong friends. The last time she went outside the convent was to be present at the Requiem Mass for Sir James Hight in Bryndwr. Mother Mary Domitille made an exhaustive study of the history of Canterbury province. In recognition of her work and research she was awarded a degree of doctor of literature of the University of New Zealand in 1918, the first woman in Australia or New Zealand to win this distinction.

Mother Mary Domitille taught at the Sacred Heart College, Christchurch, for 40 years and was principal for many of them. Generations of pupils benefited from her formative influence on mind and character, her strong personality, her deep human interest and her rich faith. She was deeply interested in world trends in education and her advice was widely sought and appreciated by teachers all over New Zealand; As a tribute to her untiring zeal in the cause of education in New Zealand, Mother Mary Domitille was awarded the Coronation Medal in 1936. The Solemn Mass of Requiem will be offered in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Monday at 10 a.m.