Sr. Paula Mary Hills

List of Deceased Sisters

Date of Death 14/03/2025

  Born:  17 December 1943

  First Profession: 24 August 1969

  Died: 14 March 2025

Paula Mary was born in Christchurch – New Zealand – on 17^th December 1943. She was a new addition to the loving family of Mary Ellen and John Louis Hills.

From an early age Paula Mary was undoubtedly forward thinking and very self and socially aware. These gifts were an integral part of her personal and religious life. Her enthusiasm and willingness to respond to the various calls to Mission during her life are proof positive of her faith and utter acceptance of her vocation.

Already a trained government teacher, Paula Mary entered the novitiate at Heretaunga where she took her first vows as an SMSM on 24 August 1969. She made final vows in her home city on 8 February 1976.

Paula Mary herself had written that all the employment she had prior to entering the convent had enabled her to “come to know, appreciate and empathise with others and had been a tremendous source of personal enrichment.”  Much of her employment in student years had been in hospital laundry and cleaning.  Her ministries and missions since her laundry days were greatly varied and challenging.  

Teachers’ College. Teaching. Matron. Translator – Paula Mary was a fluent French and Tongan speaker. Counselling. Pastoral Care. Community service. Her gifts, talents and generosity saw Paula Mary ministering not only in Tonga but also in the 1980s in the French speaking Pacific countries - New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Her work included teaching, and a wide variety of hostel work with young women and various cultural groups.  She also helped with translation services at the 1984 EGC in New Caledonia and at the 1994 General Chapter in Rome.

In 1993 Paula Mary was missioned to Rwanda, Central Africa, where she “welcomed the opportunity and privilege to be with others from a totally different situation and context”.  Each and every mission and challenge was for her a gift to serve and “welcome the unexpected...”  Evacuated from Rwanda at the time of the war, she spent a brief time in Brescia before heading back to New Zealand.

In the following years Paula Mary updated her professional skills, taking part in Counselling studies and Pastoral Care Ministry. She was a volunteer Ecumenical Chaplain at a hospice here in Auckland, and later shared her compassion and skills as pastoral care worker in the Lower Hutt and Kapiti areas. Her presence was greatly appreciated by both her co-workers and patients.

All through her life, her ministries and travels, Paula Mary was plagued by ill health, but she never let that minimize her efforts to answer her call to mission. Her faith and belief were strong and constant.

Her final years were lived in the Auckland parishes of Remuera and St Heliers where she became involved in parish activities to the best of her ability.

After several stays in Auckland City Hospital this year, Paula Mary finally went to Elizabeth Knox Home and Hospital where, after only two weeks, she was welcomed home to her God on 14^th March, 2025.

Her requiem was held at St Ignatius Church, St Heliers, where she had worshipped for a number of years. The celebrants were her neighbour Fr John Dunn, and Bishop Paul Donoghue, sm, with whom she worked in Vanuatu. She was laid to rest in the Waikaraka Cemetery, Auckland, beside many SMSM with whom she had worked.

Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

Sister Elizabeth Anne Troke, smsm