Kirby, Mary Kostka (1863–1952)

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Kirby, Mary Kostka (1863–1952)

New Zealand nun. Name variations: Kate Kirby. Born on July 9, 1863, in Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland; died on Aug 18, 1952, in Dunedin, New Zealand; dau. of John Kirby (clerk) and Kate (Synan) Kirby.

Joined Sisters of Mercy at Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland (1881), became nun (1884); managed orphanage at Singleton, NSW, Australia (1882); started new mission in Dunedin (1897); served as mother superior (1897–1909, 1912–18); served as mistress of novices (1918–24); founded St Patrick's Orphanage (1897); opened home for boys at Waverley, Dunedin (1920); helped to establish convents and mission schools throughout New Zealand.

See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 3).

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