Sr Patricia Kingsley: 100 years young
By Catherine Sheehan
“Just take every day as it comes,” was the sage advice from Sr Patricia Kingsley PBVM, as she prepared to celebrate her 100th birthday on 2 September.
“And if it [life] goes for a hundred years or for 50, or however many it is, each day can be different, or it can be much the same as many other days. But I just enjoy every day.”
After a lifetime of service as a Presentation Sister, Sr Pat said one of the most important lessons she’d learnt was to trust that God is always present.
“When things are hard, to still realise that I don’t have to do it on my own. God’s there. He might be working through someone else. But each day, each night when I think, ‘Well, where’s God? Where’s Jesus been today in my life?’ And sometimes, it’s been in some little almost unforeseen happening, and that’s where he’s been.”
A century ago, on 2 September 1925, little Paticia Kingsley was born in Launceston to parents Leo and Charlotte. She was the second eldest of seven siblings, three boys and four girls—Kevin, Pat, Shirley, Enid, Barbara, Barry and Terry. Sadly, her little brother Terry passed away when he was only four.
As the eldest daughter, Sr Pat felt she was “the boss” but admitted that her siblings were “pretty good”.
“Like all children, not always good, but most of the time.”
Her mother ‘held the fort’ at home as her father served in the army and was often away. He served in both World Wars and was one of the first to land on the beach at Gallipoli, where he was injured. He returned home with a “bullet in his back” that couldn’t be removed.
“He lived with it all his life,” Sr Pat said.
She was educated by the Presentation Sisters at Sacred Heart College in Launceston and remembers first thinking about becoming a Sister when she was seven or eight years old. She recalls the head mistress speaking on the topic of teaching children about God.
“And I thought, ‘Well, that’s what I’d like to do.’ So I said, ‘I think I’ll do that.’ But that was just the first thought, that I’d like to teach people about God.”
After completing her secondary schooling, Sr Pat worked as a shop assistant for about six months before entering the Presentation Sisters’ Launceston convent at age 18 in 1943.
Sr Pat admits that by today’s standards 18 years is quite young to enter religious life, however, back then, she said, “I would’ve thought I was quite grown up”.
Sr Pat professed her First Vows in 1946, and her Final Vows in 1949.
Over four decades she taught in Catholic schools all around Tasmania. She estimates that she must have taught “thousands” of students in that time.
Sr Pat served in both Launceston and Hobart, however she says her “happiest years” were those spent teaching in the small country towns, where she said, “even the shop keepers were your friends”.
“In the country places, which I liked very much, you were usually living with just one other Sister. And to me, you were part not only of the convent, but part of the whole community, the school and the parish and the town really. Everybody knew you.
“They were some of the happiest years.”
She taught in numerous locations including, Bellerive, Lindisfarne, Invermay, Geroge Town, and Beaconsfield.
In the country schools, Sr Pat often taught large classes consisting of students from grades two through to seven.
“And I always found the children in grades two and three were much more advanced than they would’ve been if they’d been in a class of their own because they learned from the others.
“In those days, we used to have a lot of rote learning, knowing their tables and spelling. And I always found that these little grade twos and threes could spell and do, well, mental arithmetic, maths as well as the grade sixes and sevens.”
The most rewarding aspect of teaching, according to Sr Pat, was when the students “really cottoned on to” what she was teaching them.
“Not only in secular subjects, but even in religion, when they seemed to understand what I was getting at.”
Sr Pat’s teaching career came to an end about 40 years ago when she moved to the Presentation Sister’s property, Maryknoll, at Blackman’s Bay and began organising retreats there.
“I organised retreats for people to come here and have a bit of a break at Maryknoll,” she said.
The Sisters provided the facilities for those on retreat, and a listening ear for anyone wanting it.
The Sisters’ house at Maryknoll affords stunning waterfront views, something Sr Pat has enjoyed for the past 40 years.
Sr Marie Connolly PBVM who has lived at Maryknoll with Sr Pat for the past three years said she found her an inspiration.
“I’d say she has a very strong character, and I’ve always found her an inspiration.
She said Sr Pat had suffered from poor health the past few months but never complained.
“During these last months of illness, she has shown what it is to live with pain and suffering without complaining.”
Sr Pat’s faith had played a significant role in shaping her strong character, Sr Marie said.
“It’s a faith that comes through in the way she accepts whatever the Lord’s asking of her.
“It’s her prayer life, it’s her dedication I’m sure that’s kept her able to live that life, and to live it without moaning or groaning.
“She doesn’t give in very easily, and she’s always been an inspiration to me.”
Around 60 members of Sr Pat’s family, including her brother Barry and sister-in-law Merle, came together on 31 August at the Clubhouse at Fairway Rise to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Sr Pat’s niece, Catherine Taylor, said her aunt “really enjoyed” the celebration.
“Some family members called in from as far afield as Europe and Scotland on the day of the party,” she said.
“She has been a fantastic example of commitment, and a witness of God’s love in our family. I’m so fortunate to have Pat as my aunt.
“The thing I find most inspiring is that she has never stopped learning and working.”
Sr Pat said that looking back over the 100 years of her life she could see the working of God’s grace.
“He puts people in my life, which can be really helpful… See, we need to be conscious of God’s love all the time.”
Sr Pat said she was grateful that she has “kept going”.
“Sometimes when things are a bit hard, it’s harder to realise that that could be a good thing… but it’s still God’s life in me.
“He’s always there, and I don’t have to go looking for him. He’s there waiting for me. It’s when I get tired of waiting that I wish he’d show himself a bit more.”
“He knows anyway, but I thank him for the gifts and help I’ve been given over these 100 years.”
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