RIP, Sister Josephine Kenny OLSH, (9 October 1927 – 24 January 2025)

I have loved you with an everlasting love. I am constant in my affection for you.

These words from the prophet Jeremiah capture well the driving force behind our dear Sister Jo’s life, as she had absolute confidence in the one who called her into life and loved her unconditionally. At approximately 8am on Friday 24th January she gently slipped into the loving embrace of the one who had loved her with an everlasting love, throughout her 97 years.

Today we come together to celebrate the life of Jo Kenny, a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, whose ministry in health showed care, concern and compassion for all who came to her. Her dedication as a nurse came from her closeness to Jesus to whom she dedicated her life for 75 years.

To Jo’s family, and all her relatives and friends who loved her so much and are deeply saddened by her death, we offer our deep sympathy and love. You know well her deep love for you and her gratitude to you. We also offer sympathy to those who join us from around the world, especially, our Sisters.

Charleville

Josephine Margaret Kenny, or Jo as she was known by many, was born in Charleville, Queensland, on 9th October 1927, to Perce and Martha Kenny. When Jo was only 10 years old her mother died, this was a time of deep sadness for Jo, her dear dad and her siblings Patricia, Francis and James. Her father was determined to keep the family together and employed house keepers to help care for the young children. Four years after the death of her mother, Jo’s father remarried, and later Jo’s stepsister Margaret was born. Jo’s family moved to Hamilton and she attended Primary School at St Cecilia’s and completed her secondary education at All Hallows Mercy College in Brisbane.

Jo’s parents had a deep faith with love of the Mass. Their deep devotion to the Sacred Heart and frequent communion overflowed onto Jo. At an early age she began reading the magazine the ‘Far East and this awoke in her a deep desire to go to the missions. In 1950, at age twenty- three she entered the novitiate at Hartzer Park in Burradoo and was professed in 1952; she was aptly named Sr Assunta, after the great Italian Missionary.

After five years doing general and obstetric nursing training at St Margaret’s Jo’s lifelong ministry and her epic journey as a passionate, enthusiastic nurse and missionary began as she flew out of Sydney destined for Papua New Guinea, the place she would call home for the next 16 years. After many days of travelling across the stormy sea she arrived at Rossel Island, an isolated, mission station with some of the most gentle people she had ever met. There Jo was on her own in the nursing field and despite the lack of resources and difficult conditions Jo felt ‘extraordinarily blessed’ in her work, as she had many opportunities to help mothers deliver their babies, a role she loved. Jo was an excellent nurse, compassionate, resilent and hardworking. She endured the many difficulties living in isolated missions with her reliance on the Grace of God.

Rossel Island

Jo spent most of her time in PNG between Sideia, Rossel Island and Nimowa. After one local Sister was trained as a nurse Jo felt sure more would follow and so she decided to return home and continue her missionary vocation in Australia. After undertaking some studies in Theology Jo asked to go to the Northen Territory. In 1977 she had her first experience with Aboriginal people when she arrived at the East Arm Leprosarium and although she only worked there for 1 year, it was the most influential experience in her 17 years of working with Aboriginal people.

East Arm

The Leprosarium was set up as more like a home than a hospital with both staff and patients forming a community of the heart founded on care, acceptance and love. It was here, Jo worked alongside Dr John Hargraves in the life changing work of microsurgery. Jo went on to Wurramyanga (formerly Bathurst Island). Here she delivered countless babies and was responsible for Infant and Maternal Health and the training of the Indigenous Health Workers. Jo was proficient in the Holyoake Support program for those recovering from drugs and alcohol and took a particular interest in the Indigenous men returning to the community after participating in this program, giving them the support, hope and confidence they needed to continue to better their lives. She had small huts built out bush for them while they recovered and would visit to talk, listen and counsel them until they were ready to return to the community. From here Jo went to work in Wadeye (formerly Port Keats). Although her ministry in health was often challenging she loved the aboriginal people and felt accepted by them as a friend. Jo regarded these friendships as the greatest treasure in all her missionary endeavours.

First OLSH Sisters arrive at Wadeye, 1941

Jo’s passion was to work with God’s anawim so she requested to work with refugees. She, along with Sr Moira Lynch, was the first Australian DOLSH to carry the flame of God’s love to the people in war torn South Sudan. When Jo arrived in Mapuordit, South Sudan they lived in simple tukuls (huts) made from bamboo. It was a very poor, physically uncomfortable mission, with no running water, sanitation or refrigeration. It was a dangerous mission at the height of the civil war,yet Jo and Moira’s courageous presence said to the people of Mapuordit, we see you, we love you, you are not alone in your suffering.

Mapuourdit

In later years Jo was missioned to South Africa and then she returned to the NT and made an outstanding contribution to the many ministries she was involved in: Palliative Care, Prison Ministry, East Timor Sunrise Group and St. Vincent de Paul Society.

To say that Sr Jo Kenny was a great nurse is an understatement. Jo nursed in many very difficult and challenging places, not just in Australia but around the world, she treated those suffering from Hanson’s disease, TB, Parkinson’s Disease, AIDS, Malaria, Typhoid, substance abuse, not just with her medical expertise but with inclusion and acceptance. With love! Jo was a skilful, totally devoted, gentle and caring nurse. In all of Jo’s achievements and there were many, she was humble.

In all things what was most important in Jo’s life is captured beautifully by a young woman in South Africa with whom she worked. When Jo was planning to return to Australia. The young women said, ‘what will we do without you?’, Jo assured her she had taught her everything and she was capable of continuing the work. The woman replied ‘the best thing you have taught me is to be kind’.

And Jo was kind, she spoke with her eyes. They were alive and always seeking to do good for people. She loved life and was a good friend to many. She enjoyed bush walking, cooking, sewing, reading and caring for her indoor plants. Jo valued her community members and was especially enriched by sharing life and faith with the Sisters in her community.

When it was becoming apparent that Jo’s’s health was failing she asked to transfer to St Joseph’s Aged Care Facility, she accepted her aging with her typical resignation. It was here that she was beautifully cared for until her death.

We will be ever grateful to Perce, Martha and the Kenny family for the gift of Jo to our Congregation.

Go in peace dear Jo, united with the one who says ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love’

Thank you for your faith - filled witness, generosity, diligence and humility and great missionary spirit. May your beautiful humble soul rest in peace.

Philippa Murphy FDNSC Provincial Leader