Irene was born in Texas Qld, second eldest child of Charles and Violet, and sister to Thelma, Monica, May, Lorna, Charles and John. When the family moved to Sydney she attended Hurstville Primary School and St George High School North Sydney.

Irene met the Dominican Sisters through the Children of Mary Society in Maitland, and entered there in December 1939, was formally received as Sr Mary St Matthew in August 1940, and took first vows in 1941. She was attracted to the Dominican Order because of the active and contemplative way of life, where the Divine Office was chanted.

Sr M St Matthew began an itinerant educational ministry in Primary Schools at Waratah, Maitland, Newcastle, Bathurst, Moss Vale, Tamworth and in the Secondary School at Strathfield. She was one of the foundation members of the community at Portsea, when the School for Deaf Children was established there in 1948.

She was a keen student herself, undertaking an Arts Degree in 1973 at the University of New England; she also spent years in France and Germany studying language. A memorable year of renewal was spent with the Ecumenical Omega Order in Winfield England; following this time she worked with their renewal groups in Toronto NSW and Elm Grove Sanctuary, Tumut.

In retirement she taught English to refugees, supported friends and family, and always participated actively in Dominican life.

In her last illness, Irene was frustrated by failing strength but kept her devotion to prayer, the Divine Office and the Eucharist. She died in Concord Hospital on 17 August 2011, thirteen days short of her Platinum Anniversary of Religious Profession.

'Irene' means 'peace'. May Irene now find peace in the Lord for love of whom she laboured throughout her long life.

Return to Latest News main page