WILSON, ANNIE ELLISON (SISTER ANNE)

 

Annie Wilson was born on the 12 November 1914 at Hobart, Tasmania.� While she was still a baby her parents moved to New Zealand and settled at Port Chalmers.

 

Interest in the work and needs of the Methodist Maori Mission were sparked off by an address given by Sister Dorothy Pointon.� With a purposefulness that characterised her whole life Anne set about preparing herself for service, and after her formal training in Deaconess House, she was appointed to the Taranaki Maori Circuit in 1943, and was based in Hawera.

 

Sister Anne's work was marked by imagination and innovation.� Through her weekly programme in Taranaki she touched the lives of literally hundreds of young Maori folk, yet she was always looking for new ways to increase her effectiveness.� Many of the fine features of the circuit programme had their origin in her mind and became real by her enthusiasm.� She set up Maori Women's Fellowships which were a feature of the Taranaki circuit years before Te Roopu Wahine became a part of the Methodist Maori Division. Yet she would not have claimed the credit for she always worked through committees and consultations.

 

She was never parochial and always encouraged her people to participate in the activities of the church outside her own responsibility.� She was scrupulously fair in her dealings with people, never penalising those who did not share her convictions or who disappointed her in any way.� She loved people in spite of their failings, and that is the mark of a great spirit.

 

After 21 years, Sister Anne moved to Auckland and became Matron of Seamer House, a hostel for young Maori women.� After her retirement in 1973 she became a receptionist at the Everil Orr Home for 8 years. She was Secretary of the Methodist Deaconess Association from 1951 to 1953, and president from 1961 to 1963.

 

Annie Ellison Wilson died on 26 September 1983 at Auckland.

 

SOURCE

Methodist Church Archives