Sister Mary Camelann (Veronica) McKee was a proud Lourdanian who dedicated her life to helping those around her. In 1947 Veronica McKee joined the Order of The Holy Spirit Sisters and travelled to Andheri East in Bombay, India, to help construct and run the Holy Spirit Hospital.
In 2007 Veronica McKee was proudly named as one of the Lourdes Hill College’s House Patrons in honour of her work as a true Good Samaritan. The McKee House value, respect, is based on Veronica’s passion for helping others. While Veronica passed in 1981, her family’s legacy has remained strong at the College with a number of her relatives staying connected to LHC.
Gabrielle McKee, Veronica McKee’s niece, attended LHC from 1980 to 1984 and has fond memories of her aunt’s generosity.
Gabrielle said that her family has always shared Veronica’s passion for helping others and believed that Veronica lived the McKee family ethos of selfless giving.
“Catherine McKee, or Granny as I knew her, was always busy crocheting hankies & hand towels, making jam & cakes, collecting "Bring & Buy" items in readiness for hosting fundraising parties to send money to Aunty Bonny's (Veronica) missions in India.”
“I have often thought of her life choices and challenges when I am going through some of my own. It helps adjust your perspective enormously,” Gabrielle said.
She has remained connected to the College through her work with the Past Pupils Association and has recently joined as a member of the Committee.
Gabrielle’s nieces, and Veronica’s great nieces, Eloise and Alexandra are current students at LHC and strive to live the values of their great-aunt.
“LHC provided me with a warm nurturing environment where I learned to trust and build friendships. Strong relationships forged during these formative years are invaluable for a balanced life, and I want that for my nieces,” Gabrielle said.
Eloise is currently in Year 12 at LHC and is a leader in McKee House. She is proud to represent her House and her great-aunt by advocating for her values to the LHC community.
She said being a descendant of Veronica McKee provides her with inspiration to do right by others always and pursue a life of giving.
“When I think of Veronica McKee, I think of an extremely selfless person, who did not view helping others as a sacrifice of her own time.”
“I think this selflessness pairs seamlessly with McKee’s House value of ‘Respect’; which together, promotes the treatment of others as equal to oneself,” Eloise said.
Eloise’s younger sister, Alexandra, who is in Year 10, believes her family is truly connected to the College and values the memory of her great-aunt as important to the College.
“The McKee name symbolises to me, community, obtaining the value of respect and being open-handed with great generosity to all,” she said.
Veronica McKee lived a life in service of others and her family and the LHC community aims to continue her legacy through a commitment to service of those less fortunate.
For more information about Lourdes Hill College and joining a community that values legacy and service to others, please visit: www.lhc.qld.edu.au/enrolments