Mother Marianne Cope's Grave

Mother Marianne served the people of Kalaupapa for 30 years.

NPS / Hannah Schwalbe

Quick Facts

Location:

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Amenities

1 listed

Scenic View/Photo Spot

Mother Marianne Cope arrived at Kalaupapa in 1889. She carried on the work of Father Damien by administering to Hansen's disease patients and served the people of Kalaupapa for 30 years. An outstanding administrator as well as an excellent nurse and pharmacist, Mother Marianne felt it was essential to preserve the personal dignity of patients and encourage a "quality of life spirit."

Mother Marianne was born Barbara Koob in Hessen, West Germany, on January 23, 1838, to Peter Koob and Barbara Witzenbacher Koob. Just one year after her birth, the Koob family moved to Utica, New York, and quickly became members of the St. Joseph's Parish. Barbara and her siblings attended the parish school. From a very young age, Barbara knew she wanted to enter a convent and dedicate her life to God. After the death of her father in 1862, she did just that. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse, New York, and a year later, she professed her vow to God and became a sister. She taught and served as principal at various Parish schools and helped open two general hospitals in New York.

In 1883 she received a call to help Hansen's disease patients in Hawaii. Within her first year, she helped to establish the Malulani Hospital on the island of Maui. In November of 1888, she and a few other sisters went to serve in Kalaupapa. At first, she took care of the boys living in Baldwin Home and later helped to care for the girls and women who lived in Bishop Home. After serving over 30 years in Kalaupapa, Mother Marianne passed away on August 9, 1918. She was later canonized on October 21, 2012, and is now Saint Marianne.

Learn more about Mother Marianne and the Sisters of St. Francis.