Eulogy Sr Mary Frances
Eulogy – Sr Frances Wilson Sr Mary Frances, Diana Mary Wilson, was the younger daughter of Helen and William Wilson. She was born in Inglewood, Taranaki, on the 30th March 1938. Frances’ maternal grandparents arrived from Poland in 1876. Their families settled in Inglewood as part of the pioneering group to farm in that area. Her mother was the youngest of 17 children who lived through those hard times of settlement. Frances was proud of their pioneering spirit, and their deep and loving faith in God and the Church. She always cherished this as an important part of her heritage.
As a child in Inglewood, Frances spent a lot of time with the Mission Sisters. The Sisters taught her at St Patrick’s Primary School, and she also learnt music from them and helped them with chores around the Convent. Frances writes: …… I have no doubt the ‘seeds’ of my vocation were ‘sown’ through my family and my association with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. I was taught Polish and Catholic traditions by my Grandparents and Mother. Many times I walked a km with my Grandmother to daily 6.30am Mass in Inglewood.
Frances’ Secondary education was also with the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions at St Mary’s Juniorate in Pukekohe, after which she entered the Novitiate in Christchurch and made her First Profession. Frances spent the first 32 years of her Religious Life teaching in Primary Schools in the North Island.
The last 17 of these years were as Principal of St Paul’s School, Ngaruawahia. In 1981, she attended a 5 month course in Rome. A Spiritual Renewal Course followed in Melbourne in 1989.
It was after returning home to NZ from this course that the invitation came to be a founding member of a new mission in Gibb River in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This was in 1990 when she, together with Sr Margaret Scott, opened the Wanalirri Catholic School in Gibb River. The Sisters were there for 10 years before the school was handed over to a lay principal and staff. Frances was there for all of those 10 years – with Sr Margaret Scott for the first 5 years and then with Sr Veronica Keaveney for the remainder of the time. At the beginning of their time there, the Sisters lived in caravans and had a generator that was used in the mornings and evenings. They taught in a corrugated iron shed or under the trees. After 4 years, the caravans were replaced with a new teachers’ house which was built in Perth and transported to Gibb River. The corrugated-iron shed classroom was also replaced by a new school built in Perth and transported on 5 trucks to Gibb River taking 5 days to get there. The Sisters developed a very special school catering to the particular needs of the children of Gibb River and the surrounding communities. At the same time, they worked at developing the spirit of the community as they grew in the understanding of the local culture and way of life.
Gibb River held a special place in Frances’ heart. Her 10 years there were a very precious time in her life. Her respect for the people, and her understanding of their culture, enriched her life. She loved the Gibb River community, and they, in turn, loved her. They gifted her with her bush name, Jindibirri, the aboriginal name for the Willie Wagtail, a bird that was sprightly and energetic just as Frances was. In the year 2000, many of the boys of Gibb River were ready for secondary education. With the help of Mazenod College in Perth, Frances managed to have them accepted as boarding students there. A little later, in 2001, she moved to Perth as she had been asked by the Principal of Mazenod College, to be the Aboriginal Liaison Officer there. This she did for 14 years. It was another very special chapter in her life as she made many friends, not only with the students but also with the staff; friendships that still endure to this day. During these 14 years at Mazenod College, Frances also assisted Aboriginal girls to settle into St Brigid’s College. Genuine and lasting bonds were formed with a number of these students. She was Guardian to five girls, assisting them and providing advice at various levels of their lives. One student, in particular, became a very high achiever and this can be attributed, in part, to Frances’ loving guidance. In 2013, she was approached by the Director for ACM (Aboriginal Catholic Ministry), to provide pastoral care and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through home and hospital visits and Sacramental preparation. She did this for the remainder of her years in Australia.
In 2017, Frances returned to NZ to live here in Onekawa where she lived in community with Sr Carmel Cassin. She provided care and support for Carmel as her health declined, eventually leading to Rest Home care when Frances continued to support and care for her. Frances always had a great love of education. She was an enthusiastic and committed teacher for over 40 years, and pre Covid, in her first couple of years here in Onekawa, Frances volunteered to provide learning support to students at St Joseph’s Maori Girls’ College and Sacred Heart College.
Coming to live in Onekawa meant that Frances was near her family in Wairoa and it has been lovely that she has been able to see them more over the last five years. Frances’ family have always meant the world to her. She so enjoyed staying at the farm with her sister, Annette. Annette’s family – Laryssa, Francesca, Helena, Jacob, their partners and families, were so important and special to her.
She wrote in her ‘Living the Now as we Age’ booklet that she wanted them to know that she loved them very much.
Frances, you have been a wonderful inspiration to hundreds of people throughout your life. Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord.
