Cecilia Thackaberry facts for kids

Sister Cecilia Thackaberry was a kind Irish nun. She was part of the Presentation Sisters. She went to Nigeria to help people. Sadly, she died there while doing important relief work. This happened during the Nigerian Civil War. Her birth name was Sarah Agnes Thackaberry. She was born on July 7, 1909, and passed away in September 1969.

Sister Cecilia's Early Life and Training

Sister Cecilia was born in Dublin, Ireland. She went to school with the Presentation Sisters in Warrenmount. Later, she studied with the Loreto Sisters in St Stephen's Green.

In November 1933, she officially joined the Presentation Order. This happened in Buxton, England. For many years, until 1965, she taught in various schools across England. She also helped train new nuns. One place she taught was in Stapenhill, Burton-on-Trent. In 1939, she was teaching in the Isle of Axholme, Lincolnshire.

Journey to Nigeria to Help Others

In September 1965, Sister Cecilia led a group of two other nuns. They traveled for 26 days to reach Port Harcourt in Nigeria. The local Bishop had invited the Presentation Sisters to come and help people in his area.

When they arrived in Nigeria, the sisters took charge of the Sancta Marian nursery and primary schools. Sister Cecilia also started evening classes. These classes were for a girl who could not afford to go to school during the day.

Helping During the Nigerian Civil War

Nigeria became independent from the UK in 1960. After this, the country faced some challenges. The eastern part of Nigeria declared itself independent in 1967. It was called the Republic of Biafra.

Later that year, federal troops entered Biafra. Because of the fighting, Sister Cecilia and the other nuns had to move. They moved from Port Harcourt to Owerri.

Sister Cecilia worked hard to help people in refugee camps. These camps received aid from international groups. In Umuahia, she and another nun organized relief work. They also provided medical care for refugees. Many people were facing hunger and sickness. They came to Owerri looking for help.

Sister Cecilia helped set up a sick bay in Owerri, Nigeria. A sick bay is a place where people can get medical attention. Slowly, she was able to reach out and help more and more people in need.

Her Final Act of Kindness

In September 1969, Sister Cecilia was helping others. She and another nun were taking a nurse to one of their newest sick bays. They had only traveled about three miles. Then, their vehicle was hit by fire from a low-flying Nigerian aircraft.

Sister Cecilia and the driver were killed in this attack. Bishop Okoye, who had invited the sisters to Nigeria, spoke about her. He said that "she was our first martyr of charity." This means she died while showing great love and kindness to others. Her body was laid to rest on the grounds of the parish church in Emekuku, Nigeria.