Sr Mary Austin Thompson died peacefully at the age of 81, in the Convent of Mercy, Eastgate, Hornsea, on 27th August 2010, the day before the feast of her patron, St Augustine.

Her body was received into Sacred Heart Church, Hornsea, on Sunday 12th September by Fr Peter Egan, Parish Priest; the Reception was followed by Evening Prayer. Afterwards, the Sisters and friends, many of whom had travelled long distances, gathered in the convent to reminisce over a much appreciated meal.

At the noon funeral the following day the church was full to overflowing with people of different denominations and many walks of life. It was a very moving and joyful occasion to celebrate Sister’s life and work. The Requiem Mass was concelebrated by seven priests. Fr Peter Egan, chief concelebrant, offered sympathy to Sr M Austin’s sister, Kathleen, to her niece, Pat, her nephew, Paul and his wife Teresa, to the Sisters of mercy, and to Sister’s many friends. He spoke with gratitude of Sr M Austin’s fidelity to playing the organ in the church, even during the time she had to travel all the way from Hull, and he said that she will be greatly missed in the parish. The offertory gifts were carried to the altar by the family. These included one of Sister’s recorders, as a sign of her passion for music. Her Profession Candle was lit and placed on the coffin.

Sr M Hilary Rourke, a close friend of Sr M Austin since noviceship days, gave the following panegyric:

‘Sr M Austin Thompson was born in Hull on 9th February 1929, and at her baptism was given the name, Hilda. There were four children in the family – Hilda, Bernard and his twin, Kathleen, and Maureen. Hilda was educated by the Sisters of Mercy at Endsleigh Holy Child Demonstration School, St Mary’s Grammar School, and Endsleigh Teacher Training College. On leaving College in 1948, she went to Egton Bridge, where she taught in St Hedda’s School with Sr M Aquin’s sister, Annie Delaney. In 1951, she entered Endsleigh Convent to try her vocation as a Sister of Mercy. The following year, she received the habit and was given the name, Sr Mary Austin. She had her First Profession on 8th August 1954 and was Finally Professed on 8th August 1957. She lived all her religious life in the southern part of this Diocese – in Endsleigh, Southcoates, Filey, Bridlington and Hornsea.

Austin was a loyal and faithful friend, a quiet, very sensitive, private person, who spoke only when there was something worth saying, never gossiped or spoke ill of others, and as a result was often misunderstood. She was always very kind and compassionate. You could trust Austin with your life.

As a young person she was very athletic. She was a powerful swimmer, and often swam in the North Sea with her Dad and Kath’s Labrador, Bambi. When we were on holiday in Filey, she got up very early every morning, before anyone else was out of bed, went down to the sea for a swim, and was back in time for breakfast. The rest of us shivered at the thought of it! Austin was also a good walker. I remember one occasion when we asked Brownbridge, the convent driver, for a lift to Forge Valley on his way to Whitby. He dropped us off at the wrong place, miles out of our way. We walked all day, back to Hackness and through the Forge Valley in pouring rain – it was flowing down the gutters! We were wearing the old habit, coif and veil, and a big gabardine cloak. We were soaking wet. I don’t know what we looked like!! We passed a man slashing hedges. He said ‘Rather damp!’ We reached Scarborough by evening. It was fine by then and we had just enough money to get the bus to Filey. We eventually arrived at the convent, having missed the evening meal. We rang the door bell and we were greeted by the Superior. We apologised for being late and explained what had happened. When we said that we got on the bus at Scarborough, she took one look at us and said ‘On the bus?! You’ve disgraced the Community!’

Austin taught in Endsleigh Primary School for many years and eventually became headteacher. She was also headteacher of Sacred Heart Primary School from where she retired. She loved music and books. She graduated from the London Royal Academy of Music, gained a Licentiate of Trinity College, London, and was greatly accomplished in many musical instruments – amongst them, violin, cello, piano, and not least of all, the organ. For many years she taught music to children, both in school and privately. She often entered classes of children for the Hornsea and Whitby Music Festivals, always with excellent results. After she retired from school, she spent a few years at Hawkstone Hall and also at Hazelwood Castle. She was responsible for music in both places. In recent years, she accompanied Hornsea Choir, and played for the patients in Hornsea Cottage Hospital on a Sunday evening.

Austin died as she lived, quietly on her own without any fuss or attention, troubling no one. She sent a card to a friend recently and on it she wrote ‘I’ve no grumbles.’ Thank you for your love and friendship, Austin, and for your good example. May the Lord reward you. May you have peace and happiness.’

Sr Mary Austin was buried in Northern Cemetery, Chanterlands Avenue, Hull, beside many of the Sisters with whom she had lived and worked.

May they rest in peace.