Interview with Catherine O'Regan

Catherine O'Regan was born in Wellington on 6 Apr 1914. Gives details of her family background including Irish ancestry on her mother's side. Recalls visiting her grandmother on the West Coast. Describes growing up in Island Bay with her mother, father and stepbrothers and stepsister. Describes her father's work building bridges. Recalls attending primary school at St Madeleine Sophie. Describes in detail attending Sacre Coeur (later Erskine College) where she was a boarder. Discusses attitudes towards Catholicism. Talks about working at Land and Income Tax and doing most of a Bachelor of Commerce at Victoria University before training to become a teacher.

Discusses social life and entertainment including going to the pictures and balls. Describes meeting Barry O'Regan, their courtship and wedding. Recalls the Depression and World War II. Describes the birth of her children, their childhood and education. Discusses Barry O'Regan's partnership in the law firm Bell O'Regan and Dunphy and his becoming a High Court judge. Talks about her daughter Mary O'Regan and sister in law Pauline O'Regan, who is a nun. Comments on becoming Lady O'Regan. Describes nursing her husband.

Interviewer(s) - Mary Varnham

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-007166 - OHC-007170

Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s).

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-1766.

Photograph of Cassie O'Regan on front of abstract

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies OHLC-004333 - OHCL-003337