Sr Joan Manson (Sister Mary Pius) died on 2 July 2026 in Upper Hutt, where she had retired to Villa Joseph. She was 97 years old.
Sr Joan was one of the two founding teachers at St James’ School in Albert Street, Palmerston North, when it opened in 1958.
She was a very athletic woman who coached girls’ netball and rugby. In the classroom, Sister Pius was firm but gentle and kind.
Sr Joan was born in Whanganui, where she spent her childhood years, as well as in Palmerston North. After leaving school, she worked as a dental assistant in Whanganui and, on joining the Sisters of Mercy in 1951, moved to Wellington.
During the early years of Sr Joan’s formation, she trained as a teacher and returned to Palmerston North in 1954. She taught in Palmerston North’s three Catholic primary schools — St Mary’s, St James’ and Our Lady of Lourdes — for several years. As a foundation teacher at St James’, when resources were scarce, Sr Joan’s “monkey puppet” became famous, teaching young children to make the Sign of the Cross, learn the road rules, and develop their reading skills.
Sr Joan also taught in Westport, Blenheim and Wellington. During her teaching years, she saw many changes in education.
From teaching, Sr Joan moved into leadership roles within the Sisters of Mercy and the wider Catholic community. She completed training in spiritual direction and liturgy in America and Australia, which she put to good use at the Star of the Sea Retreat and Conference Centre in Wellington.
Sr Joan moved back to Palmerston North and teamed up with Rex Begley to run “Retreats in Daily Life” in the Diocese, which involved travel to Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki. Her influence was felt across many parts of New Zealand, as well as through her membership of a local Rebus Club and the St Mary’s parish community.
Bishop Peter Cullinane presented Sr Joan with a Papal Blessing at her 90th birthday celebration on 28 May 2019. The celebration was attended by her sister, Margaret Walsh; her brother, Brian Manson; and a large group of family and friends in Palmerston North. Her brother Brian proposed a toast, and Sr Joan replied with some help from her monkey hand puppet.
Sr Joan attended the St James’ Catholic School 65th jubilee with her puppet, Monkey, and later presented Monkey to the new students at St James’.
We thank Sr Joan for her years of service to our schools. May she rest in peace.