Mary was a Christian Science Minister in New York City who emigrated to New Zealand in about 1890. She became a naturalized citizen of New Zealand on October 21, 1896.
Mary was married,first, to John Jacob Thompson Plunkett on September 7, 1870 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA. She and John had two children, Pearl and Paul Plunkett. She married, second, A. Bentley Worthington, whose real name was Samuel Oakley Crawford, in May, 1889 in New York City. She married, third, John Staines Atkinson on March 20, 1901 in Christchurch, New Zealand. She did not change her name after this marriage.
While in New Zealand, Mary and Mr. Worthington established the "Temple of Truth" and attracted many "Students". They eventually disagreed over control of the doctrines and teaching of the Temple and separated. Mr. Worthington was exposed as a bigamist, who had at least eight wives and several children, whom he had deserted and stolen money from.
After the separation, Mary, under the name Sister Magdala, established the New Zealand School of Mental Science which she operated until her death, with her longtime friend Franc Garstin, or Sister Franc.
Mary was found drowned in a fountain behind her home on June 7, 1901. A coroner's inquest determined that she had committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.
Mary was married,first, to John Jacob Thompson Plunkett on September 7, 1870 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA. She and John had two children, Pearl and Paul Plunkett. She married, second, A. Bentley Worthington, whose real name was Samuel Oakley Crawford, in May, 1889 in New York City. She married, third, John Staines Atkinson on March 20, 1901 in Christchurch, New Zealand. She did not change her name after this marriage.
While in New Zealand, Mary and Mr. Worthington established the "Temple of Truth" and attracted many "Students". They eventually disagreed over control of the doctrines and teaching of the Temple and separated. Mr. Worthington was exposed as a bigamist, who had at least eight wives and several children, whom he had deserted and stolen money from.
After the separation, Mary, under the name Sister Magdala, established the New Zealand School of Mental Science which she operated until her death, with her longtime friend Franc Garstin, or Sister Franc.
Mary was found drowned in a fountain behind her home on June 7, 1901. A coroner's inquest determined that she had committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.
Mary was a Christian Science Minister in New York City who emigrated to New Zealand in about 1890. She became a naturalized citizen of New Zealand on October 21, 1896.
Mary was married,first, to John Jacob Thompson Plunkett on September 7, 1870 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA. She and John had two children, Pearl and Paul Plunkett. She married, second, A. Bentley Worthington, whose real name was Samuel Oakley Crawford, in May, 1889 in New York City. She married, third, John Staines Atkinson on March 20, 1901 in Christchurch, New Zealand. She did not change her name after this marriage.
While in New Zealand, Mary and Mr. Worthington established the "Temple of Truth" and attracted many "Students". They eventually disagreed over control of the doctrines and teaching of the Temple and separated. Mr. Worthington was exposed as a bigamist, who had at least eight wives and several children, whom he had deserted and stolen money from.
After the separation, Mary, under the name Sister Magdala, established the New Zealand School of Mental Science which she operated until her death, with her longtime friend Franc Garstin, or Sister Franc.
Mary was found drowned in a fountain behind her home on June 7, 1901. A coroner's inquest determined that she had committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.
Mary was married,first, to John Jacob Thompson Plunkett on September 7, 1870 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, USA. She and John had two children, Pearl and Paul Plunkett. She married, second, A. Bentley Worthington, whose real name was Samuel Oakley Crawford, in May, 1889 in New York City. She married, third, John Staines Atkinson on March 20, 1901 in Christchurch, New Zealand. She did not change her name after this marriage.
While in New Zealand, Mary and Mr. Worthington established the "Temple of Truth" and attracted many "Students". They eventually disagreed over control of the doctrines and teaching of the Temple and separated. Mr. Worthington was exposed as a bigamist, who had at least eight wives and several children, whom he had deserted and stolen money from.
After the separation, Mary, under the name Sister Magdala, established the New Zealand School of Mental Science which she operated until her death, with her longtime friend Franc Garstin, or Sister Franc.
Mary was found drowned in a fountain behind her home on June 7, 1901. A coroner's inquest determined that she had committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity.
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