Rest In Peace Sister Marg

“A comfortable cup of tea,” Catherine McAuley said, “was a way to heal you, to counsel you, to warm your spirit. Tea is the passage to good health, happiness and wisdom.”

Catherine McAuley was a woman of great love, compassion and warmth. As she lay dying, she asked one of the sisters in her room to have a comfortable cup of tea ready for the sisters when she was gone. She wanted her friends to feel the serenity that tea encouraged even in a time of such distress.

This week, our beloved Sister of Mercy, Sister Marg Lipsett passed into the hands of God after 17 years of service to our College. Just like Catherine, Sister Marg loved a comfortable cup of tea and a chat. She spent many hours in our staffroom sharing kind words, her gentle advice and just listening to those who needed someone to care for them.

Sister Marg commenced in our Boarding Community in 2001 as a Housemother in Ursula House caring for our boarders, before becoming a pastoral assistant in the College community, providing support to staff, students, and families. 

Sister Marg prepared students for their sacraments, visited classrooms, and loved having conversations with students who needed someone to take some time to listen to them.

Sister Marg will be fondly remembered at Santa Maria College for her beautiful voice at Friday morning Mass, for her wise words in dealing with challenging situations, her honest and open discussions on many topics, her stories about her life and her wonderful sense of humour.

Sister Marg was born in Perth, the third of four children and attended St Joachim’s, now Ursula Frayne College. From her first day of school as a six-year-old seeing the nuns, she dreamed of becoming a nun. Sister Marg joined the convent at Mercedes College at 16 years of age and was professed as a Sister of Mercy at age 19. She has dedicated over 60 years of her life as a Sister of Mercy. In Sister Marg’s words “I was always grateful for the life I had and the vocation I chose”.

Sister Marg’s presence at the College has been a gift to our community, and her contributions are valued by many.

May the perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

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