KCP - Catholic Diocese of Broome

May Benignus Gleeson was born on 28th April, 1931 in Wexford Ireland. She was received into the St John of God Congregation in 1952, taking the name Sister Cabrini. While still in training, Sister Cabrini travelled to Derby in 1953, and completed her Novitiate there in October 1957. She then went to St John of God Hospital, Subiaco where she completed her nursing degree in 1961.
At the completion of her studies, Sister Cabrini returned to the Derby Leprosarium (Bungaran) and worked tirelessly there until 1967 when she moved to the then Derby Regional Hospital for three years before transferring to Beagle Bay Mission in 1970.
In 1972, Sister Cabrini returned to Ireland and nursed in Aut Even, Kilkenny, until 1980.
She then returned to Australia, to work at Numbala Nunga Nursing Home from 1980 to 1985. At Numbala Nunga in Derby, she did permanent night duty and, as in all her other appointments, was well known as an excellent and very caring nurse. She had her own personal touch and was always ready to go out of her way to give the extra help and attention needed to make the elderly patients' time there more homely. A request for an extra cup of tea or other assistance was never refused and the management on occasion was known to turn a blind eye to some of her special ways, like the occasional "supervised" cigarette!
In 1985 Sister Cabrini again returned to Ireland until 1990, this time nursing at Parkston Hospital, Wexford. Then in 1990, she came once again to Derby nursing, as before, at Numbala Nunga until she retired in 2001.
From then on, Sister Cabrini had more time available and her ministry became one of hospitality. She had many friends and, with such an outgoing personality, loved to meet and entertain them. However, her great compassion for others did not lessen with her retirement. Quietly, and unbeknown to most, she continued giving help to those in need, remaining available to all who needed her care and support, especially the sick. She was well known to the people of Derby, who loved and respected her.
Her sudden and unexpected death came as a great shock to the St John of God Sisters, her family and many friends in Australia and Ireland.
Despite her many years of service here in the Kimberley region, Sister Cabrini remained a member of the Irish Province of the Sisters of St John of God and her burial took place in Ireland.
May she now enjoy the reward of her many years of kindness and service to the sick and those in any kind of need.
May she rest in peace.