Former Deputy Director of Catholic Education Western Australia Ltd, Mercy Sister Joan Buckham passed away Tuesday 21 June 2022.
Fellow Mercy Sister Janina Pascoe RSM gave the following Eulogy at her Requiem Mass.
Joan Buckham was born on the 19 December 1939, the third child of Nora and Stan Buckham, at the small local Mt Hawthorn Hospital.
She was the much loved baby sister to Dallas and Graeme.
The larger part of Joan’s life was spent in and around the adjoining suburbs of Leederville/Mt Hawthorn.
Joan was baptised and received all the Sacraments in this her parish church, St Mary’s Leederville. It is fitting that she be farewelled from here.
Joan attended St Mary’s School just across the road. Her Novitiate was completed at the Convent opposite in 1959, later teaching at St Mary’s Leederville.
Joan’s commitment to education was at all levels.
Beginning with Primary then Secondary classroom teaching, she moved onto becoming Principal at primary schools in Nollamara, Kojonup, Glendalough, Lesmurdie and Leederville.
This was followed by becoming Principal of St Brigid’s College Lesmurdie, Ursula Frayne Victoria Park and St Mary’s Leederville (now Aranmore College).
During Sr Joan’s time at St Mary’s Leederville, she was instrumental in the planning and amalgamation of St Mary’s with Christian Brothers College to become the now Aranmore College.
Her final direct involvement in schools was as Campus Minister at Ursula Frayne.
With all this experience behind her Sr Joan accepted the challenge to take up the role of Deputy Director of Catholic Education WA, a position she held for 12 years.
She was passionate about education, demanding high standards and adequate resources in schools.
Sr Joan served as a Member of the Catholic Education Commission WA and up until the time of her death served on numerous School Boards, Advisory Councils, the Catholic Pastoral Institute, and a term on our former West Perth Mercy Council.
Joan had endless energy and her most recent passion was as Pastoral Carer in the hospitals.
Mercy works were still very much part of her daily life as she supported the poor in many ways.
All of this was done with great dedication, amazing energy, and enthusiasm.
Her “compassion antenna” was always alert, picking up the vibes of people who may have a need….be it spiritually, materially, a guiding word, general support, a listening ear or encouraging a new teacher.
Catherine McAuley once said “it is never enough” when speaking of our works of mercy.
Sr Joan lived out these words daily until the day she passed away after a short illness on Tuesday 21 June 2022.
May our Mercy Sister Rest in Peace.