Sister Barbara Mary Hurley (Mary Thomas Aquinas)

Sister Barbara was a wise, forgiving, strong, practical, creative, generous, happy woman whose love for Jesus clearly shone through her enlivening relationships with others. She had a great love for the Eucharist and a devotion to Mary, especially through the Rosary.

Barbara grew up on the family farm in the Ashburton area, where she was one of 8 children with 6 brothers and one sister. Her parents, Mortimer and Margaret, worked hard and were always great benefactors of the sisters.

It was in 1943 when Barbara was 16, that she moved from her home in Ashburton to join the Sisters and begin her religions life in Christchurch. She entered the novitiate in 1945 and was given the name Sister Mary Thomas Aquinas, which she was known by for many years before she returned to her baptismal name.

After profession in 1947 Barbara began her many years of service to the sisters in the kitchens of our communities. She quickly revealed a flair as a caterer and for the first 34 years of her religious life she could be found in the kitchens of many of our communities. She served in Sumner, Addington, Napier, Sunnybank and Greenmeadows but the majority of these years, 24 to be precise, were spent at our large Ferry Road Community in Christchurch. Here she cooked for over 100 sisters, novices and boarders day in and day out.

For Barbara, it was not merely a matter of cooking. No! She saw herself as a provider of good food and became a very professional caterer. For her, nutritious and tasty meals were of utmost importance and many a time she had to convince the Reverend Mother that it was wise to spend money on good food, because it kept the sisters and boarders happy and healthy. She was careful to see that the dietary requirements of the elderly and unwell were met, even when that meant preparing several different kinds of meals. She enjoyed giving little surprises, such as green boiled eggs for the boarders on St Patrick’s Day. Her ingenuity was legendary and her generosity in sharing the tricks of her trade was always appreciated.

Barbara was instrumental, together with Mercy Sister, Monica Iredale, in forming a Food Service Group for religious men and women around Christchurch. This expanded into an ecumenical outreach. Experts in the culinary industry were invited to give talks. Tours of commercial kitchens were arranged as were relaxing outings and retreat days. A supportive and enduring bond of friendship was formed among the members of this group.

Along with this, Barbara also managed to be involved in CCD classes in the local parishes. Her friendly and outgoing nature endeared her to everyone she came into contact with.

In 1974 Barbara was called to Rome to share her catering ability with our leadership community there.

In 1982 Barbara was missioned to Samoa for 3 years where she continued to share her culinary skills. She produced wonderful meals in some difficult situations and with limited produce. Her shortbread was legendary and was much loved by the local priests. Her kitchen was always a welcoming and happy place.

On her return to New Zealand in 1985 Barbara began her long commitment to the Samoan Community in Christchurch. This association lasted over 35 years, firstly as the pastoral worker for the Catholic Samoan Community and when she was no longer able to do this she continued her connection by attending every event she could manage. For many she was a “mother” figure and was always encouraging and gracious. In 2006, Barbara was presented with a Benemerenti medal, a Papal award, for her work in the Samoan Community. She will always be much loved and held in high esteem by this community.

One of her enduring gifts was her ease in relating with others be they children or adults, rich or poor, be it during her time in our Roman community where dignitaries from the Vatican sometimes visited, or in Samoa where, without knowledge of the Samoan language, she related with the language of the heart.

Barbara appreciated living alongside neighbours in the smaller communities of Bromley and Woodham Road in Christchurch where she and Sister Martina Burke spent many happy years. She continued reaching out to those around her. Watching Cricket and Rugby on TV was another joy for Barbara. A keen supporter of the Canterbury Crusaders and the All Blacks, she loudly scolded various players when she thought they had played badly and always praised her favourites.

Barbara knew how to laugh at herself, to share a joke, to let go of hurts and move forward positively. She accepted life as it came, always confident in God’s grace.

Barbara suffered ill health for several years but she remained cheerful and never let it get her down. Several times she was close to death but a blood transfusion was able to give her more energy for a short while. She died peacefully in the early morning of Sunday, 5 July 2020.

The sisters and a small group of friends gathered in the Addington Convent Chapel on Tuesday afternoon for prayer and sharing. In the evening Barbara was taken to the Samoan Centre where the Samoan Community paid tribute to their  “Mother.”  Stories  were  shared  and  prayers  said. Around 200 people filled Sacred Heart Church  for her requiem mass on  Wednesday, 8 July. The Samoan Community honoured Barbara in their traditional way as well as providing the music for the celebration of her life. Our hearts were full as she was finally laid to rest with prayer and song.

Barbara was a deeply prayerful woman with a cheerful and welcoming disposition. She was capable and committed and willing to take on anything asked of her. We can but thank God for her 93 years of life and be grateful we were able to be part of it.

May she Rest in Peace.