R.I.PFrances Ellen McLean
1921-2008
Frances McLean died in the Royal Infirmary last night at about 7:30 pm. She has been a non-stipendiary minister at St James and St Mungo's for many years - ordained to the priesthood in her sixties following a long and varied ministry including many years as a missionary nurse and midwife in South Africa.
Frances underwent a major operation on Tuesday for an aneurysm of the aorta. She rallied initially and then began to fail on Wednesday morning. She was visited by the Bishop at around lunchtime and received the Sacrament later in the afternoon. She'd had occasion to ask her nurse whether it was expected that she would survive and was told that there were grave concerns as to whether this would be the case. She was surrounded by friends up until the time she died. At nearly 87 years old, Frances died "in the saddle" - involved in an active ministry to "old people" for whom she was an enabler and a source of spiritual comfort and with questions as to who will do her work now that she's gone.
I'd say a pretty good innings by any estimate.
1921-2008
Frances McLean died in the Royal Infirmary last night at about 7:30 pm. She has been a non-stipendiary minister at St James and St Mungo's for many years - ordained to the priesthood in her sixties following a long and varied ministry including many years as a missionary nurse and midwife in South Africa.
Frances underwent a major operation on Tuesday for an aneurysm of the aorta. She rallied initially and then began to fail on Wednesday morning. She was visited by the Bishop at around lunchtime and received the Sacrament later in the afternoon. She'd had occasion to ask her nurse whether it was expected that she would survive and was told that there were grave concerns as to whether this would be the case. She was surrounded by friends up until the time she died. At nearly 87 years old, Frances died "in the saddle" - involved in an active ministry to "old people" for whom she was an enabler and a source of spiritual comfort and with questions as to who will do her work now that she's gone.
I'd say a pretty good innings by any estimate.
8 comments:
Amen.
(interesting, the word verification here, right now, is: hersthe...I find that touching)
Rest in peace, rise in glory Frances.
May the angels lead her to paradise, I am sure they already have.
Oh, she is truly beautiful.
May she rest in peace and may all who loved her be comforted.
(Ah! And my word verification is "winful". Amazing.)
Look at that lovely, blessed smile. Rest in peace, dear sister.
A fantastic lady who'll be well missed. I likes the story that apparently she asked the nurse "am I going to die" to which the nurse looked a little taken aback. Frances took her by the hand and said "it's OK, you can tell me"!
What a lass. May she rest in peace.
Thank you for the photo with the post. What a great life and inspiring passing.
What a gorgeous pic and so full of spirit, just like Frances! You'll miss her in church and we'll miss her in the Cursillo community. No doubt where she is now though...
There are many great women like Francis among us who led the way for women's ordination by their patient example. Elizabeth, Mary Pat, Dorothea - may they rest in peace and rise in glory!
Alison
Post a Comment