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“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10

Sr Anaclete-Mary was born on 6th November 1930 in Puttlingin in the diocese of Trier and named Hildegard Agnes. Her parents were Johannes and Katharina Speicher and her sister was our Sr Callista, who had already entered the convent at Neustadt.

She completed eight years of schooling before entering at Neustadt. She received the habit in Neustadt and was given the name Sr Barbara. Sr Anaclete-Mary arrived in South Africa as a novice in 1949 and completed her noviciate in Oakford. She made her first profession in 1951 but did not renew her vows in the second year of her profession in 1953. During this time she worked at Marymount, helping with nursing and completing her midwifery training. She entered a second time in 1955, made first profession on 11th February 1957 and final profession on 16th July 1960.

Sr Anaclete-Mary spent much of her life nursing in our hospitals and clinics. These were her assignments: Marifont (1957), Marymount (1969), Villa Assumpta (1979), Ekukhanyeni (1983) KwaNdebele (1985), Ekukhanyeni (1999) Villa Assumpta (2006).

Wherever she was sent, Sr Anaclete-Mary managed to build lasting friendships with the people she served. She worked hard and tried her best to fit in with the culture of the people.

There is an interesting story about her time in KwaNdebele. She lived in the community with Sr Immaculata. They had no water in their convent so they had to join the women at the communal tap. The women were surprised to see this white lady accompanying “her maid” to the tap to collect their water and to know that their friends were bishops and priests.

She would share the contents of any parcels she received and whatever money she had with them. No one left her room empty handed. She never stopped praying for her friends, reminding them always that they had a special place in her prayers. When her friend Mpume Zondi heard of her death, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10she said to her son Nhloso, “Now we are one pray-er down”: that was the end of Sr Anaclete-Mary’s prayers for them.

She really meant to say they were now on her prayer list for all eternity! The joy of being with her Lord for all eternity is what she has lived and longed for. She now knows for certain what it is to live in the presence of a loving and forgiving God.

May she enjoy the peace and love of God who has called her to the kingdom.

Read more in the obituary.