Vale Sr (Dr) Sophie McGrath RSM

Another Covid-19 first. Today I farewelled a former colleague, for whom I had great respect and affection, by watching her funeral service live via streaming. It was very moving.
 
Sr Sophie McGrath, PhD, a Catholic nun, was nearly 88. She was still lecturing at university and was still the Director of the Golding Centre for Women's History, Theology and Spirituality in Sydney. She was still supervising PhD students. She had never been seriously ill. "Sophie doesn't do sick" a friend said. She was intellectually gifted and her intellect had not diminished at all. She died suddenly ten days ago leaving a massive gap and many, many people shocked and bereft, myself included.
 
Sophie was a very dignified, refined and caring woman, full of life and interested in everything and everyone. It was a great privilege to know her.


The main photo was taken in 2014 when she was 82. She had been invited back to a high school where she had been Principal for a number of years. They were unveiling a plaque in her honour after one of the school buildings was named after her. I love this photo because it captures this remarkable woman beautifully.

The extra photo is a screen shot from Sr Sophie's funeral today.