Annie Hickey

Annie was born on 9 July 1860, at Pipitea Street,Wgtn,  the 4th of 10 children, to Michael Thomas Connolly (Carpenter/Undertaker) and his wife Bridget O'Halloran. Michael and Bridget had married at the Church of the Nativity Chapel, Boulcott St Wgtn (now St Mary's of the Angels) on 6 November 1854. Father O'Riely recorded them as from County Limerick ad County Clare, respectively.

Annie's elder sister, Mary and husband James Higgins had relocated with the Armed Constabulary to Opunake in 1880 and it is understood Annie and sister Margaret joined them in Opunake. As there was no Catholic Church in Opunake at the time, Annie and John Michael (Bull) Hickey of the Armed Constabulary, travelled to Hawera and were married in the Hawera Catholic Church on 9 January 1882.  John served in the Armed Constabulary until its disestablishment in 1886 and later farmed on the Eltham Road, Opunake. They had 10 children, three of whom died in infancy. John was very public spirited and involved in many organisations in the district. He was appointed a JP in c1907 and served 'on the bench' many times. Annie suffered from arthritis for many years spending her latter years in a wheelchair. She died at home on 9 February 1933 aged 72 and is buried in the Opunake Cemetery.

Annie's sister Mary Higgins also signed the Petition in Opunake.

Melva Wood has written a booklet on the lives of Annie's parents, Michael and Bridget Connolly, which will be deposited with the ATL, National Library shortly.