Sr M Xavier McInerney

Died 13 August 1950

Ellen Mclnerney was born in Woodville, West Maitland on the 18 September 1863, a daughter of Bartholomew McInerney and Brigid Hannon of Maitland. Ellen was one of a family of eight children. She was, with her sisters, educated by the Dominican Sisters in Maitland. In 1885 aged twenty-two Ellen entered the Novitiate of the Sisters of St Joseph at Lochinvar and was given the name of Sister Mary Xavier. Three of the six daughters embraced the religious life - Sister Mary Eugene (Lochinvar) and Sister M. Angela (Perthville) predeceased Sister Mary Xavier by some years. The following is an extract from the Newcastle and Maitland Sentinel:

"The late Sister M. Xavier was one of those unassuming and quiet personalities, whose unconscious influence for good is the more potent because of the strength underlying elected hiddenness. Quietly she taught in the schools at Quirindi, Carrington, Cessnock, Largs, Burwood, Krambach, Aberdeen, Wybong, Brookfield, Glendonbrook, Wingen, Cundletown, Gloucester, West Wallsend, Dungog and Lochinvar. She performed her religious exercises, fulfilled her household duties, governed for many years various communities and in life's twilight mingled prayer with reading (of which she was very fond) or occupied her deft fingers with a piece of perfect knitting.

She was at Mass and Holy Communion on the morning of the day her last illness (pneumonia and pleurisy) overtook her and within six days the end came, surrounded by the whole community. Fortified by all the rites of holy Church, peacefully Sister Mary Xavier passed into eternity.”  

The Very Rev Father Ward officiated at the graveside on Thursday 17th August. The Solemn Office and Requiem was held in Convent Chapel at 10.30.  His Lordship Dr Toohey presided with a choir of thirty five priests.

Taken from the Lochinvar Magazine 1950