Continuation of tribute from class 6A 1968..... She influenced so many lives in the most positive ways. She had a unique ability to understand what drove each of her students and develop their potential by offering at times not so subtle challenges, but always well timed. Some quotes from our classmates: - she had amazing piercing blue eyes that noted every adolescent transgression. - if only I could’ve been as wise about her positive life influence when cramming French vocab lists. - Connie’s superb control of the huge school choir is a powerful & enjoyable memory for me. To this day I still vividly recall her tuition on reaching the high notes. - how amazing that someone so humble, thoughtful & easily embarrassed could also be so direct & strong. - our small year 13 class of 1968 was truly blessed to have had “Sister Charles” as our teacher & mentor. Thank you, Connie. Much aroha to us all and to Connie’s whanau as we celebrate the life of an amazing woman who has influenced the lives of so many. Adrienne Dalton, Anne -Marie Cervin, Carol McSweeney, Christine Forster, Christine Muggeridge, Colleen Porteous, Erin Henwood, Frances Clement, Joan Luxemburg, Mary Cavanagh, Mary Stacey, Maureen Piercy, Betty McIntosh

This is a collection of reflections and comments from a group of Connie's pupils, class 6A, 1968. We were so fortunate to have Connie in our formative years – looking back on school years we probably didn’t realise then (or appreciate) the impact she had as a model of a strong dedicated woman – something many of us have come to value greatly over the years. How Connie, a cloistered nun at the time, managed to be Principal of a mid-sized secondary school, a full-time teacher, doing university study, and the manager of a significant college building program that included fund-raising, is hard to believe. The ultimate multi-tasker. A number of us have had some wonderful catch ups with Connie over the years. She moved with the times as her own religious life allowed her to. She has supported us by attending family weddings, funerals and other life events. The class of 1968 had a wonderful 40 year reunion with a number of our teachers including Connie in 2008. Most of us were able to attend. And we had another wonderful extended weekend get together with Connie at a large beach house at Omaha in 2011. Her memory of and interest in all those she knew was amazing, including her former pupils, the Challenge 2000 team, as well as the All Blacks. Connie has certainly left an amazing legacy. One of her pupils commented that Connie was a rare mix of strength and compassion. She reflected that her own life work of service and others' needs taking priority over her own, was part of Connie's influence. This tribute continued in next posting ....

Dear sisters and family of Connie My heart is full after watching the service. The selection of hymns and readings stirred my Irish genes(100%) I thought of Aunty Mena and Agnes Maher and Sister Paul(Miscall) and all the other women who gave their lives in Christ. And I listened with interest to the chosen words in her memory. I send my love to you all from the deep south of NZ. Thank you for being the visionaries of the future. The service has had a profound impact on me and given me hope and renewed faith in my 86th year of my life journey. Blessings to the Hurley family and to all who originally hail from Ireland. Till we meet again in heaven. Ann Monteith(Slattery)

Sympathy and prayers to the Sisters and Hurley family. Sister Charles ,I remember as a strong and remarkable woman. I had alot of admiration for her. Rest in peace, Connie Helena

With sadness I read the death notice of dear Sister Connie (Charles). What an amazing person she was to so many and inspired us all to achieve more than we thought possible. I had the privilege to have been a pupil of Sacred Heart College in Hamilton in the 1960’s, where she was a teacher and then Principal. She never missed one thing we did and also encouraged us all to become better people. I will always remember her dedication to her faith and also her love for all the students she taught. Thank you for being the wonderful inspiration to so many you came into contact with, over your long life. You will be remembered with love by so many. God rest your dear soul. Eileen Doherty, Hamilton.

To all our Hurley Cousins and The Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, Vincent and I along with our family wish to offer our sincere condolences on the passing of Sr. Connie. I had the great privilege of meeting Sr. Connie (my mothers 1st cousin from NZ) when I was just a little girl in Courtmacsherry. St. Connie came to Ireland to study and in her free time she came to visit us. We loved her visits. She was always so interested in us. She played the piano and sang songs with us.She told us wonderful stories. She thought us to crochet 😀. She spoke with a very different accent than us. We loved telling people in the village she had come all the ways from NZ to stay with us! She celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary celebration with us in 2007and then in 2016 we had the great privilege to visit her and all of you in New Plymouth. We spent a great Easter Sunday with you. You were so welcoming to us. We always loved hearing about all of you in her great letters and EMails. She lived a long life spreading her positivity, love and generosity wherever she went. May she rest in peace now in the arms of Jesus & Mary. We will be celebrating her wonderful life in her funeral mass tonight 11:50pm our time with you all. Love to you all at this sad time. Vincent & Ann.

I was a foundation pupil St.Marys convent 1954. Sister Charles was our head teacher. She taught me from 1957 to 1959. She was also our netball coach & we were fortunate to have her as we were a very good team. She was strict but fair & when she was sent to Ellerslie we were heartbroken. A few of us saved our pennies & bought her chocolates & caught a bus there to deliver them. I saw her a few years after that & she growled at me for dying my hair! The last time I saw her was at a school reunion in Papakura. We were all so happy to see her. God bless her. May she rest in peace.

Sister Constance ( Charles ) I remember with great affection when she came to lead our school in Papakura in 1954. It was also a privilege to welcome her to our frequent Reunions over the years. Sister was a really close friend of my mother who held her in great respect. May you rest in peace Sister. Michael Turner.

Lovely memories coming over the waves from Tasmania

On my own behalf and on behalf of my mother Chrissie, Connies last first cousin in Ireland, we extend our sincere sympathy to all who knew her. For us she was such a force of love, connection, inclusion ... the last of that mighty generation of Hurleys. We loved her visits over the years and her long handwritten letters and later emails which brought us up to date on every family member in NZ, then commentary on the state of the world and finally rugby! (My mum would affectionally said we have another 'gospel from Sr. Connie'!). She left a deep and lasting impression on us, a beautiful soul. Family meant so much to her and my late Dad Billy loved taking her to meet family and to the places where her late father Charles came from around Timoleague and Courtmacsherry - then he would drive her to visit her mothers relatives in Castleisland, Co. Kerry. May she now enjoy her eternal reward in the full presence of the God she loved and served so faithfully. We are enriched by her life and we loved her. Love to all our extended Hurley cousins in NZ.

An inspiring teacher of Form 2 girls at Ellerslie Convent in 1958. Thank you for your encouragement. It is time to rest in peace.

Thank you Sister Charles,my teacher and founding principal at St Mary’s Papakura. You were also my inspiration for my involvement in Education. A strong woman. With appreciation, respect love and thanks may you rest in peace. Inie Kroef

Connie, Sad to see you didn't quite make the century. Thankyou for all the memories, and laughter over the years in Hamilton, the Hutt and New Plymouth May you rest in peace and catch up with all the rellies waiting to greet you

Esteemed by former pupils at both St Peter's Convent School, Cambridge and Sacred Heart College, Hamilton, 1950s and 60s. Always fondly remembered, together with her sister, Kath. RIP. Cabrini (nee Welten)

Dear Connie, you were a woman of great strength an inspiration in Religious Education but most of all my teacher & Principal. Connie you will now know all the tricks we got up to, missing classes however nothing escaped you.I am proud to be named a former student of yours Sacred Heart Hamilton. Rest in peace dear friend, Sonia White nee Pennell

Rest in peace, a lovely teacher at Sacred Heart

To the Hurley family with love from the daughters of Joan Cavanagh (Hickey). Connie was special to our mother, Joan. She was also our teacher at St. Heart in Hamilton.

Wonderful memories of Connie as Director of Religious Studies, Hamilton Diocese. My condolences to her family and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. May she Rest in Peace.

With prayers and love from Judith, Gabrielle, Melanie, Mary Kate and other members of the Evans family who knew you as a dear friend as well as a colleague and teacher.

Sending you and the family my condolences

May God bless You for your lifetime of service to the girls of the era & May you now rest in peace as your reward. Judith Gilbert & family.