Sheila Mary Hunt

Deceased Sisters

Sheila Mary Hunt - United Kingdom
14/01/1925 - 12/01/2022

Sr Sheila, one of four girls born to Mr Martin Hunt and his wife Mary Phillips, became a Marist Postulant in October 1943 and made her Final Profession on 15^th August 1950. One of her brothers, Des, became a Marist Priest. The family lived at Rooskey, Dooslatta, Ballymote, Co Sligo. Ireland. Shelia’s early Primary Education took place in the local Primary School at Derrikinlough Ballymote and continued at the Marist Primary School Tubbercurry. Her secondary education began at the Marist Secondary School, Tubbercurry and for her Sixth Form and A levels she attended Torquay Technical College. Then she studied at University College Exeter where she majored with Honours, going on to Oxford University for her Teacher’s Certificate.

It has been generally agreed that Sister Sheila Mary was a person of very high ability, intelligence, wisdom and discretion. Renowned for her spirituality which marked her integrity in administration and in her guidance of staff and students, she was a true educator – drawing out of each and all, their fullness of ability, talent and potential.

With her studies behind her, Sheila Mary gained good experience of headship - as Head of Departments in the Marist High School Paignton and as Headmistress in the Marist High School Manchester. She then took on the onerous task of amalgamating the Marist High School Manchester and St Thomas Aquinas High School in the role of Headmistress. St Thomas Aquinas School had just been reorganised as a co-educational School which was a new challenge for Sr Sheila. Her vision of education was not confined to the classroom. She was always aware of insertion in the wider Parish Community and saw her work as outreach, rooted in Pastoral Care. The Local Inspector commented: Miss Hunt has great motivation, is intelligent, efficient, reliable, a leader of people and totally committed to the work of the church.

Mr Frank Leneghan who gave Sr Sheila’s Farewell Address, and who had worked with her for 19 years, aptly described her as a woman who gave everything to her vocation. His address was sprinkled with humour as he described Sister as a bundle of energy. You would regularly see her briskly walking along corridors, popping out around corners especially when least expected, never still for long. He claimed that she conserved her energy by apparently nodding off or dozing at non-essential moments of a routine meeting, yet never missing a trick. He continued… through it all she gave the school that very special Marist Character – through her service to Christ and to Community. This has been reflected in the caring atmosphere, the tolerance and kindness shown to people with difficult home problems and in the work done both through the school and parish to help disadvantaged children or the elderly.

In a recent Tribute, some Past Pupils - the class of 1966 - wrote The Marist Ethos, instilled in us by Sister Sheila Mary and other Sisters, had a great impact on us and shaped our lives. We have all done well in our jobs and in life and have nurtured our families in faith. The staff-room and the carpark were centres of friendship and hospitality. Sr Sheila loved to celebrate Birthdays, Feastdays and all big occasions. A Celebration was ‘all inclusive’. She was reliable to a fault, true to her word. Frank declared it was never boring working with Sr Sheila. The most consistent thing about her was her inconsistency! Never one easy answer to any problem. Sr Sheila always saw herself as a religious Woman first and as a school manager who strove always to be kind and human as she worked with staff and students.

On her retirement Sr Sheila went to work on the Mexican Marist Mission in Ticoman which she loved and where she continued to give of her best. Sr Mari Aranda, a Mexican herself, testifies: Sr Sheila was great in Mexico; poor people loved her - the people who live in the hill. I had the privilege of living with her, she was in charge of one of the little churches.

Wherever Sr Sheila was, and whatever the task assigned to her, she was a delightful member of community, always positive, co-operative, cheerful and prayerful. She finally retired to Hythe in 2013 where she was an example to all in how she coped with the disability of a chronic cough and never complained. It did not prevent her from breaking out into a tuneful rendition of ‘Danny Boy’! We miss her very much.

On a visit to Hythe, Sr Grace told Sheila of the treasured memory she had of seeing her pray so much in the chapel. Sr Sheila replied “Sure darling, where else would I be!” Sister Grace adds: She prays for us all now as she rejoices forever.

The community noticed Sr Sheila’s gradual deterioration of health but she loved to be with the community to the end. She passed away peacefully on January 12^th in the company of the Sisters and carers, two days before her 97^th Birthday.

This Farewell Prayer was composed by Sr Anne McCabe, who knew Sr Sheila since she was 11 years old:

May Sister Sheila awaken in the presence of God’s Holy Angels;
may heaven’s doors open wide before her;
may she see the Christ she has loved and served so well
with all the sunlit company of heaven.
Amen.

Deceased Sisters

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