Sister Justin thanks God for her life of 101 years spent in his service.
Her hair is white and beautifully coiffured, and her memory is impeccable.
An only child, Sister Justin first came to Wanganui when she was six weeks old with her parents Amy and Jim Collins, a golf professional who took a position at the Belmont Golf Course.
Her parents "sheltered" their daughter in her formative years and later it was the Sisters of St Joseph who, she says, cared for her "very well".
She entered the Sisters of St Joseph when she was 17, inspired to "serve God and work for him and thank him for his goodness".
A former speech teacher, her genuine warmth shone through as she articulated clearly her memories of the years she taught at primary and secondary level. She taught all subjects in primary and at Sacred Heart, including English, shorthand and typing, and speech. "I liked my school years at Sacred Heart and the company of the girls."
Although she was an only child, Sister Justin looked at Sister Colleen and remarked: "I had all my sisters".
For her 100th birthday last year, she received a "blessing" from Pope Benedict XVI.
"I regretted I had not requested it," she said as she held the framed certificate. But a friend had, though because of the process it arrived a month after the birthday. "It was a big surprise and very kind of her to give me this present."
When she retired from teaching, Sister Justin worked for two years in the Nunciature Diplomatic Post in Wellington, where she hosted the diplomats.
"It was a great experience and very interesting. The diplomats came to dinner and all turned up in their cars carrying their countries' flags." After her retirement, she worked in staff management at a boarding school in Tasmania. One of her tasks was to oversee the cooks and the menus, and in the holidays she was able to travel around the island.
On her return to New Zealand, she lived in Hawera, where she visited the sick and elderly in hospital. Now her memories always returned to the Sisters who took care of the sick and ailing.
She chose her name Justin when she entered the convent. Most names had already been chosen, she said, Rose being one she singled out.
"Justin appealed - he was very clever as a martyr. I could have gone back to my own name but I have kept Justin because my pupils and people know me."