Sr. Eleanor Jessie Corston

Eleanor was a much-loved sister, friend, companion and beloved Sister of Our Lady of the Missions. She was a generous, dedicated, fun-filled, intelligent, and deeply spiritual woman who lived her life to the full making the most of every opportunity that came her way.

Eleanor was born in Dunedin in 1932, the third of six children of Charles and Jessie Corston. She was educated firstly in Dunedin and completed her education at the Juniorate at Mount St Anne’s in Christchurch. She followed a strong Catholic tradition in her family: she had four  aunts who were Mission Sisters and an Uncle who was a Christian Brother.

Eleanor was professed in August 1953 and was given the name Dominica, which she was known by for many years until she returned to her baptismal name and was known as Sister Eleanor.

Her religious life began as a teacher, firstly in Christchurch followed by Kaikoura, Napier, Nelson, Kaiapoi and back to Christchurch again.  Eleanor taught all levels of primary school, moving every couple of years. For twenty years she engaged with young people and their families in these schools across the country.

In 1973, she was missioned to St Theresa’s School, Fusi, on the island of Savai’i, Samoa. Here, all her previous teaching experience would have been invaluable as she not only taught the young people of Fusi but also took on the role of Principal in 1976. Living in Samoa meant she had to be able to turn her hand to anything and everything. Eleanor took all this in her stride and just got on with it. She was known as “the flying nun” as she headed off on a motor bike, veil flying behind her. During these years Eleanor was a great support to the New Zealand priests who were serving at Fusi and was also often a peacemaker in village problems.

It was hard for her to return to New Zealand when she was asked to be Principal at St James School, Aranui. This was the time of Integration and the school system was changing. Although she had been out of the New Zealand education system for eight years, Eleanor tackled the task with dedication and energy. She was very pastoral and supported the parents of the school in many ways. She was down to earth and practical.

Eleanor was an intelligent, widely read woman who loved learning. She had a great interest in Scripture and was instrumental in helping many people come to know, understand and love the Scriptures. In 1978, she had some time of renewal and study in the Philippines at EAPI and in 1988 attended the ‘New Life’ course at Mary Mount, Sydney.

On retiring from teaching, Eleanor moved into parish ministry initially in Motueka/Takaka as part of the parish team and then to a new venture in Eltham, in Taranaki. This was new territory for Eleanor but she took it all in her stride and as the missionary she was, lived it to the full. There was no priest in the parish and Eleanor willingly took up the role of Parish Administrator. She was deeply loved by the people and engaged easily with many different groups. She began Scripture groups and opened the Word of God especially to women in the groups she facilitated.

By 1994, it became apparent that Eleanor’s eyesight was failing. She began to use a cane and, of course, had to give up driving. This put an end to her work in Eltham but she still had much more to give. Retiring was not in her nature.

A much dreamed of opportunity came her way in 1995 when she had a year in the Holy Land. She was able to absorb the systems, the life styles and the landscape where Jesus lived. She soaked in the atmosphere of the Old and New Testaments.  On her return to New Zealand, she was even better equipped to share her love for the Scriptures.

In 1998, Eleanor moved to Picton to accompany Colleen King Turner in her ministry there and immediately found a mission among the people. Again, she started Scripture groups and shared her insights especially what she had learned in the Holy Land. She found the people excited at having an opportunity to study the Scriptures and to discover new ways of prayer. During these years her eyesight continued to decline and Eleanor was chosen to receive assistance with Riley, the first of five seeing-eye dogs Eleanor had over the next twenty years. She loved her dogs and from Riley to Nixie (her last dog), she gained a sense of freedom and independence which seemed to be slipping away as her sight decreased.

Over recent years, Eleanor battled many physical disabilities and illnesses but when asked, “How are you?” she would usually reply, “I’m a box of fluffy ducklings.” Her endurance and resilience were epic.

In January this year, Eleanor was told she had cancer and, sadly, there was little that could be done. As usual, she took it all in her stride and continued to live life as fully as she was able. The last three weeks of her life were spent in Nurse Maude Hospice with sisters visiting regularly. She died peacefully on Tuesday evening, 23 July.

On Friday, 26 July, over one hundred sisters, family and friends gathered in the Addington parish church to celebrate Eleanor’s life in the Requiem Mass. Fr Peter Head was the celebrant and reflected on the way the readings reflected Eleanor’s life.  We had entered the church in fog  and come out to bright sunlight. The Salve Regina was sung as the hearse door was closed and Eleanor was driven away. It was Eleanor’s wish to be cremated.

Eleanor was self-motivated and exceedingly industrious, energetic, practical, creative, loyal and generous.

May she rest in peace.