By Glynnis Grainger
MERCY Sister Pauline Crowe, whose life ministry was primary teaching, was 77 years a nun when she passed away peacefully at Catherine McAuley Nursing Home on 6 November, aged 97.
Her Requiem Mass was celebrated in Our Lady of Mercy Chapel, Wembley on 10 November.
The Sisters of Mercy Perth said in their death notice that they fondly remembered the gentle, prayerful woman who extended mercy to many.
Sr Mary Pauline was born on 30 June 1913 at Gortnaglough Rath, County Clare, Ireland to Lizzie and James Crowe, and was the second of five daughters.
In November 1930, she left Ireland for WA and came to stay with her uncle, Fr O’Gorman, who was then parish priest of East Guildford.
Apparently, he nurtured her vocation to the Religious life and influenced her entrance to the Perth Sisters of Mercy on 1 January 1931.
She was professed on 8 December 1933 and, on her reception day, received the name Sr Mary Benedict Crowe.
Some years later, after the Second Vatican Council which ended in 1965, she reverted to her birth name Pauline.
In the field of primary education, Sr Pauline was regarded as a very thorough teacher and a hard-working school administrator.
The scope of her teaching positions ranged from rural areas to city suburbs, including Victoria Square, Subiaco, South Bunbury, Dardanup, Herne Hill, Bayswater, Belmont, Guildford, Bridgetown, Gosnells, Queens Park, Victoria Park and Carlisle.
As Principal of some of the above schools, she was known for her firm discipline which was balanced by her great kindness, not only to students, but to families as well.
Sr Pauline was a perfectionist, who expected a lot of herself and the best from everyone.
She was also a very successful teacher of piano music and theory, which she took out of school hours.
She was a very social human being who had a great capacity for friendships and had many lifelong friends.
Over many years, in many of the places where she ministered, she worked as a Sacristan in the local parish church, where her goodness, kindness and support of priests was exceptional.
Even from a distance, Sr Pauline was much loved by her family members and more recently by her nieces, nephews and their children, with whom she kept in touch by letter and phone.
In her last years at Mercy Aged Care, she was one of the most loved residents at the Centre, with her gracious manner and growth into an acceptance of her ageing, which was tangible and inspiring.
Her attitude touched and influenced people responsible for her spiritual and care management.
May this beautiful lady, who was transformed in the sufferings of her later years, be now at peace with God in the company of her family members, her Sisters of Mercy and her close friends.