Nowland, Mary Josepha (1863–1935)

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Nowland, Mary Josepha (1863–1935)

New Zealand nun and teacher. Name variations: Catherine Elizabeth Nowland; Sister Mary Josepha. Born Catherine Elizabeth Nowland, June 16, 1863, at Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia; died Dec 14, 1935, at Westport, New Zealand; dau. of Robert Nowland (butcher) and Julia (Leary) Nowland.

Joined Sisters of Mercy and became nun (1887); sent to New Zealand (1891); helped run boys' infant and girls' primary schools, and opened girls' high school at Reefton; assumed control of convent when Westport branch of order opened (1894), was appointed reverend mother (1914), then served as superior (1917–21); established O'Connor Home for aged at Westport (1920s); purchased land with own income to provide meat and milk for home; elected superior of Westport and Reefton convents whe West Cost and Wellington foundations of order merged (1927–35).

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