Generation 1
Catherine was born on 30 May 1890 in Kyeburn, Central Otago. She was the 7th child of Thomas and Margaret Healy. Her baptism records state: Healy Catherine; born 30/05/1890; baptised 29/03/1891; father Th. {Thomas} Healy; mother Maggie Gallagher; minister John Sheehan; godparents: B. Gordon & Mary Kelligher; Omakau Book 11 (# Bap 1), pg 60/8.
Like her older brother Patrick, she was born with congenital hypothyroidism – a disease caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland, which results in a general slowing down both physically and mentally. It is genetic, predominantly in women, and caused by the fact, Eileen believes, that Grandma Margaret Healy had developed a large goitre, a problem rampant in New Zealand for many years due to lack of iodine in salt and foods. Because of this, the family believes that Catherine and her sister Susan did not develop physically and mentally beyond the age of 12 years, and so were sadly institutionalised all their lives.
They were however enrolled at Kyeburn School - Catherine on 7 December 1897 and Susan on 13 September 1899.
It is not known if the girls were ever treated for their condition. There are many excellent internet resources which describe the hypothyroidism, its symptoms and causes, and the treatment available today (see References below). It appears that if a child is not treated within the first few months of birth, then the results of the condition are permanent, but they may not become apparent until the early teens.
The family knew about Susan and Catherine, and there were many stories told of how their older sisters would visit them on Sundays, but it was all very hush-hush and not talked about by the younger members of the next generation of the family, who never met the girls. There are no photographs of the girls that we know of.
Catherine's substantial medical records were obtained from the Otago District Health Board. An analysis revealed that Catherine's physical appearance on admission to Seacliff at the age of 23, on 14 August 1914 was described in detail:
Catherine was noted as being fond of drawing, and would spend hours at it. Apparently she had a very good memory, and was able to count up to a hundred in a mechanical, parrot-like fashion, although her intelligence level was noted as being "very defective - she does not know how to spell the simplest word, she speaks slowly and articulation is defective".
She was very affectionate and fond of company, but had limited knowledge of everyday affairs, being unable to explain the value of coins, or calculate simple sums. She was not concerned that she had been separated from her parents or brothers, and appeared to like being at the hospital and was quite contented to stay there.
The reasons for Catherine's admission to Seacliff was noted by the two certifying doctors as being:
A medical certificate dated 21 July 1926, several months after Margaret Healy died, states that both Catherine and her sister Susan were "mentally defective and are as well as can be expected. There are no prospects of recovery. Their physical health is satisfactory."
The medical records show that Catherine was able to work in the wards during the 1920s and she was noted as being "very much like her sister". She was in good health, happy, and worked well with supervision.
During the 1930s and 1940s, life for Catherine continued happily at Seacliff, where she was noted as being still quite contented, and enjoying with reasonable health. She worked in the wards polishing door handles and scrubbing floors, and in the kitchens peeling vegetables. The doctors noted that she had difficulty speaking, and was barely intelligible at times. However she managed to look after herself satisfactorily most of the time, although she was prone to periods of sulky moods and stubbornness.
By the early 1950s, Catherine was noted as having "marked scoliosis" (curvature of the spine) brought on from the physical disability with her right leg. However, she was a cheerful woman who was quiet and contented, and thoroughly institutionalised. Together with her sister Susan, they formed an inseparable pair who both worked in the kitchens doing limited chores.
By the end of the 1950s, Catherine was noted as being a hoarder, probably of objects she acquired around the hospital. She was now in her mid 60s, and needed closer supervision and assistance with bathing. She was allocated an extra diet of eggs, cream and oranges to keep her healthy. However she became withdrawn, and spent hours in the dayroom alone, doing needlework, as she was no longer able to work in the kitchen. She also needed assistance to walk, as her physical condition was deteriorating, and she had trouble breathing.
Catherine died suddenly after collapsing at the lunchtime meal table at Cherry Farm Hospital on 22 August 1966, aged 75, years from coronary thrombosis. Her sister Rose Johnson in Dunedin was informed by telegram and letter.
Catherine was cremated and her ashes scattered in Andersons Bay Cemetery.
Catherine had spent 52 years as a patient at Seacliff, and was the third of the four Healy family members who were committed to Seacliff in August 1914 to die.