Sister Clare Mary Turner (Mary Christine)
Clare Mary Turner was the eldest child and only daughter of Arthur and Rachael Turner. She had three brothers – Bernard, Leo, and Denis who became a Marist Brother.
Clare was educated by our Sisters at Sacred Heart College, Christchurch. She then qualified and taught as a Kindergarten teacher before entering the Novitiate of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions on 21 January 1953. This expertise with young children stood her in good stead when she began her teaching ministry in 1955. For the following 20 years, she taught young children and was Senior Teacher of Junior Classes in Addington, Christchurch, Dannevirke and New Brighton.
In these years, too, she assisted in setting up and co-ordinating CCD classes as well as being involved in Maori Mission ministry.
From 1975 – 1982 she was Advisor of Religious Education to Primary Schools and lived in Addington, Cashmere, and Kaiapoi. Within that time, she assisted in our Novitiate, and studied at the National Pastoral Institute in Melbourne for a year.
In 1985, Clare was appointed by the NZ Catholic Bishops’ Conference as Executive Officer of the Catholic Mission Council. She held this position until 1993 and, during this time, lived in Cashmere, Remuera and Ellerslie.
1990 was a time of renewal in Rome followed by a time of Mission experience which involved visiting Mission Centres; Justice, Peace and Development agencies; doing some missionary training courses and visiting Peru and Papua New Guinea.
In 1995, Clare’s dream of going on overseas mission was realised when she was missioned to Kenya. In Kenya she was fully involved in those ministries dear to her heart. She accepted a position with an American woman who was looking after orphan children with AIDS. Clare was a live-in mother to these children.
Her background in Justice and Peace was put to good use when she took a position on the staff of AOSK Justice and Peace based in Nairobi. She was involved with programmes educating women, especially at grass roots level, to access information on issues concerning
them. They were able to gain a qualification to enable them to be leaders in their local communities.
Clare was involved in so many different areas – Women’s Day campaigns and celebrations, environmental issues, Peace-making programmes, Christian Formation in its many aspects, Liturgy, and collaborating with other men and women Religious especially in the areas of Justice and Peace.
She was passionate about women’s place in the Church, and the use of inclusive language in our documents and liturgy, along with the use of Kiswaheli and good music. She kept up to date with her reading and often recommended articles and books to her community.
Clare was a good cook and enjoyed any celebration. She loved joining in the African dancing and singing.
She was appointed to the RNDM Leadership Team in Kenya for 6 years. During this time, the Novice Mistress was injured in a car accident. Clare was asked to walk with the Novice preparing for First Profession.
It was while Clare was on home leave in 2009 that she had a bad fall. This accident was to cause her life to change drastically. A heart condition meant she was not able to fly. She was unable to return to Kenya to say her goodbyes. This was naturally a great sadness for her.
She then spent a short time in the Petone and Pukekohe communities. In Pukekohe she would help with reading at St Joseph’s School. This was very much appreciated by the teachers and pupils.
In 2011, Clare took up residence in Liston Village in Auckland.
Gradually, over the next few years, Clare needed more support in her day to day living and in 2018 she moved to Mary McKillop Care in Mission Bay. When this closed in 2019, Clare moved to Mercy Parklands in Ellerslie where she died peacefully on 25 June 2021.
Clare had an energy and enthusiasm for whatever she undertook. Throughout her life, she was passionate about her interests and involvements.
Well, done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.
Rest in peace, Clare.