In Memory of Sr M Baptist Matheson RSM
16 September, 202423 January 1928 – 24 August 2024
On Thursday, 29 August 2024, the Sisters gathered with Fr Alex Varghese and many family members and friends at the Funeral Mass for Sister M Baptism (Beryl Agnes) Matheson in Our Lady of Good Counsel Chapel, The Range, Rockhampton. Sr Baptist died very peacefully on Saturday 24 August 2024 at Bethany Home, Rockhampton.
Beryl Agnes Matheson, the fourth child of Jack and Ethel Matheson, was born at Dixalea, a rural community near Wowan. Her dad worked in the railway and died as a result of a work accident on 29 August 1929, before Beryl was born. The family later settled in Biloela where, together with her three sisters and a brother (Berneice, Edna, Leslie and Beverley), Beryl attended the local state school and then St Joseph’s School. After leaving school, Beryl worked as a telephonist in Biloela and Mackay. As a young adult, she loved ballroom dancing and tennis, two activities she missed very much when she entered the Rockhampton Sisters of Mercy 2 July 1953.
Received on 24 January 1954, Beryl was given the religious name, ‘Sr Mary Baptist’, making her First Profession on 21 January 1956 and her Final Profession on 21 January 1959. Sr Baptist taught primary school children in many centres, including Mount Morgan, West Mackay, Farleigh, Neerkol, St Patrick’s (Mackay), South Mackay, Gladstone, Walkerston and Springsure. While living at Farleigh in the late 1950s, Baptist was the first Sister to drive the ‘combie’ van from Farleigh to Habana, picking up pupils along the way. A competent pianist, Sr Baptist taught music to pupils after school when at Habana and Walkerston. Supervising boarders and sometimes being sacristan at the local parish church were other after-school activities that drew on Sr Baptist’s time and energy.
Caring for our aged Sisters at Loreto was also a ministry which Sr Baptist carried out with loving dedication. In 1986, Sr Baptist went to work at the Mater Hospital, Mackay, where she provided pastoral care and spiritual support to elderly patients. At this time, her principal means of transport was a Nifty-Fifty motor scooter which the men in the Mater workshop labelled ‘The Flying Nun’. From 2005 till 2022, Sr Baptist was a Mercy presence in Biloela where she continued to minister to people in her characteristic manner.
On behalf of the Matheson family, Donna Muston, a Uniting Church minister serving in Barcaldine, paid tribute to her aunt in these words:
‘For those of you who may not know me, I’m Donna, one of Beryl’s many nieces; my dad was Leslie – Beryl’s brother. I’m glad to offer just a tiny snippet of Beryl’s story today, from memories some of the cousins have gathered together. Beryl was the lone surviving keeper of the stories and now Beryl’s death has meant the end of a generational chapter in the family. I’m wearing the Matheson Clan dress tartan scarf today as keeping the family connections was very important to Beryl. Now, with her passing, we have also lost a treasure-trove of family stories. I’ve tried to tell Beryl’s story without too much fuss which is what she wanted.
Beryl’s story is unique amongst us and has always held a sense of mystery and wonderment for us cousins, her nieces and nephews, as Beryl became a Religious Sister of Mercy. Over the years as a Sister, Beryl would drift in and out of our lives, from time to time coming home to spend time with Nanna. My first memory of Beryl was when she was standing on Nanna’s back steps in her black habit. I seem to remember she appeared formidable as I looked up from the bottom of the steps. Over the years her mode of dress would change; I think these changes in dress were a kind of barometer, reflective of changes in society and religion.
When Beryl came to Biloela to live – you couldn’t say ‘retire’, her gift to the community was remarkable. She frequently volunteered at Vinnies, and was renowned for always visiting someone who was in need. And when she couldn’t drive anymore, she would phone people to see how they were going – often! I am really proud of the way Beryl stood up for Nades and Priya, the Tamil asylum seeker family, when they were removed from their home in Biloela, detained and faced extradition to Sri Lanka. Beryl wasn’t afraid to speak out and this was one example of her strong-mindedness arising from what she believed was an injustice.
Beryl was a woman of strong faith although she didn’t really say much about it. She didn’t need to. Faith was so deeply embedded into her daily life rhythm. She would often remind me that she would be praying for each of the family first thing in the morning. We are thankful, and in awe really, that Beryl dedicated her life to serving as a Sister. I think Beryl’s calling has had an impact on each one of us – even if we cannot understand that depth of commitment.
The greatest gift Beryl offered was love. Love for Christ, the Church, the Sisters, the wider community, and love for family. And we are here today to say, we love you too, Beryl. Ninety-six years of life is remarkable and noteworthy, even if Beryl would never have held that view of herself. We will miss you, Beryl. And for each of us, I believe I can say, we are privileged that you are one of us – as daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, great-great aunt and friend.
On behalf of Beryl’s nieces and nephews, dear Sisters, we would like to offer you our thanks for being Beryl’s companions over the years of her life as a Sister of Mercy. And, a special thank you for the care and support you offered Beryl during her last few years of illness. Thank you, too, for the way you have assisted our family and included us in the preparation of Beryl’s funeral. We are very grateful and deeply appreciate your many kindnesses to Beryl and to each of us.’
Sr M Baptist had expressed a wish to be cremated. The Sisters of Mercy honoured these wishes and following the Funeral Mass, her niece, Donna Muston, presided at the Committal Service at the North Rockhampton Crematorium. At a time to be arranged, the Matheson family will gather at the Biloela cemetery to inter their aunt’s ashes in the family grave. We pray that Sr M Baptist is now at rest, reunited with her loved ones, and warmly embraced by the God of Mercy whom she served so faithfully.
