Cecilia Thackaberry
Encyclopedia
Sister Cecilia Thackaberry, PBVM was a Presentation Sisters
nun who became a missionary at the age of 56 and was killed in Nigeria
in 1969 while performing relief work.
Born in Dublin in 1909 as Sarah Agnes Thackaberry, she attended the Presentation Sisters school in Warrenmount
and later studied with the Loreto Sisters in St Stephen's Green. In November 1933 she entered the Presentation Order in Buxton
. In the intervening years up to 1965 she taught and acted as Novice Mistress in various locations throughout England, including
Presentation Convent, Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
In September 1965, Sister Cecilia led a group of two other sisters who embarked on the 26 day journey to Port Harcourt in Nigeria. The Presentations Sisters had been invited by the local Bishop to minister in his Diocese. On her arrival in Nigeria, the sisters took charge of the Sancta Marian nursery and primary schools. Sister Cecilia started evening classes for a girl who could not afford school fees.
Nigeria
began experiencing upheaval after gaining its independence from the UK in 1960. The eastern region became independent in 1967 under the name Republic of Biafra. Federal troops invaded Biafra that year and the Presentation community moved from Port Harcourt to Owerri
.
Sister Cecilia helped in refugee camps aided by world agencies and in Umuma
she and another nun organised relief work and medical care for refugees facing famine who flocked to Owerri. A sick bay was established in Owerri, Nigeria
. Gradually she was able to reach out to more and more people.
On the day of her death in September 1969, she and another nun were taking a nurse out to look after one of their newest sick bays. They had only travelled three miles when their vehicle was hit by fire from a low flying Nigerian aircraft. Sister Cecilia and the driver were killed in the attack. Bishop Okoye, who had invited the sisters to Port Harcourt said: "[S]he was our first martyr of charity..." Her remains were laid to rest on the grounds of the parish church at Emekuku, Nigeria
.
Presentation Sisters
The Presentation Sisters, also known as the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary are an order of Roman Catholic women founded in Cork, Ireland by Nano Nagle in 1775....
nun who became a missionary at the age of 56 and was killed in Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
in 1969 while performing relief work.
Born in Dublin in 1909 as Sarah Agnes Thackaberry, she attended the Presentation Sisters school in Warrenmount
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
and later studied with the Loreto Sisters in St Stephen's Green. In November 1933 she entered the Presentation Order in Buxton
Buxton
Buxton is a spa town in Derbyshire, England. It has the highest elevation of any market town in England. Located close to the county boundary with Cheshire to the west and Staffordshire to the south, Buxton is described as "the gateway to the Peak District National Park"...
. In the intervening years up to 1965 she taught and acted as Novice Mistress in various locations throughout England, including
Presentation Convent, Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
In September 1965, Sister Cecilia led a group of two other sisters who embarked on the 26 day journey to Port Harcourt in Nigeria. The Presentations Sisters had been invited by the local Bishop to minister in his Diocese. On her arrival in Nigeria, the sisters took charge of the Sancta Marian nursery and primary schools. Sister Cecilia started evening classes for a girl who could not afford school fees.
Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
began experiencing upheaval after gaining its independence from the UK in 1960. The eastern region became independent in 1967 under the name Republic of Biafra. Federal troops invaded Biafra that year and the Presentation community moved from Port Harcourt to Owerri
Owerri
Owerri is the capital of Imo State in Nigeria, set in the heart of the Igboland. Owerri consists of three Local Govern Areas including Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West, it has an estimated population of about 400,000 as of 2006...
.
Sister Cecilia helped in refugee camps aided by world agencies and in Umuma
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
she and another nun organised relief work and medical care for refugees facing famine who flocked to Owerri. A sick bay was established in Owerri, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
. Gradually she was able to reach out to more and more people.
On the day of her death in September 1969, she and another nun were taking a nurse out to look after one of their newest sick bays. They had only travelled three miles when their vehicle was hit by fire from a low flying Nigerian aircraft. Sister Cecilia and the driver were killed in the attack. Bishop Okoye, who had invited the sisters to Port Harcourt said: "[S]he was our first martyr of charity..." Her remains were laid to rest on the grounds of the parish church at Emekuku, Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
.