Mary Aquinas Kinskey
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Mary Aquinas Kinskey | |
---|---|
Personal | |
Born | Mary Aquinas Kinskey May 27, 1894 |
Died | October 20, 1985 | (aged 90–91)
Religion | Catholic |
Nationality | American |
Organization | |
Institute | Franciscan |
Sister Mary Aquinas Kinskey, OSF was an expert and teacher of aerodynamics and aviation. Her life, and specifically her interest in aerodynamics were the inspiration for the TV Show The Flying Nun. [1]
Biography
She entered a Franciscan convent in 1911 at the age of 17.
She graduated from the Catholic University of America in 1926 and started work as a high school teacher. According to the Notre Dame Archives and News, “She became a teacher and her interest in aviation stemmed from the enthusiasm for the subject from her students.”
She retired to the Manitowoc convent after suffering a stroke in 1977. There she remained until her death in 1985. [2]
She was referred to as "Spike" and "Flying Nun". The latter moniker caused speculation about her possible influence on the TV show "Flying Nun".
Awards
1957, Special citation from the United States Air Force for her “outstanding contributions to the advancement of air power in the interest of national security and world peace.” [3]
External Links
References
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/23/us/sister-mary-aquinas-is-dead-pilot-inspired-tv-flying-nun.html
- ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19851021&id=Y24aAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VioEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2468,440597&hl=en
- ^ http://anunslife.org/blog/nunday/nunday-the-original-flying-nun-sister-mary-aquinas-kinskey-osf