Sr. Anne Benyon RIP
Sr. Anne Benyon, an Ursuline, teacher, Headteacher and provincial taught at Christ’s College, Liverpool, Wimbledon Ursuline High school and St. Angela’s, Forest Gate.
Sister, aunt, great-aunt, friend, teacher, mentor, Ursuline. These words go some way to describing Sr. Anne (Anne with an e, remember) - a talented and brave woman.
Anne Josephine Benyon was born in Rochester, Kent in 1936 – Henry and Winifred Benyon’s first child. Two brothers, Christopher and Jeremy followed a few years later. Anne has always been remarkably close to her family; we are delighted to welcome them here today.
As a child Anne gained a boarding scholarship to attend the Ursuline school in Westgate. She was a gifted student who achieved academic and musical success. From school she moved to London to study and it was there she developed a taste for the thrill of fast motor bikes. As a car driver she frequently touched 90 on the motor ways!
Anne spent five happy years as a lecturer at Christ’s College, Liverpool. She enjoyed the encounters with the students and the many extra-curricular projects she was involved with. Anne was particularly kind to the four Ursulines who did their post graduate courses at Christ’s.
As the Headteacher of the Ursuline High school in Wimbledon in the 1970s she was a respected and creative leader. During those years there were building projects and the establishment of a school chapel which allowed students and staff the opportunity to attend a lunch time Mass; something which had been so much a hallmark of Christ’s College. People still remember the student and parents’ pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are delighted that a choir from the Ursuline High school is with us today.
Over the years Anne held numerous Ursuline roles including local prioress, secretary to the Ursuline general chapters in Rome and provincial. Always she used her energy, gifts and talents for others. She encouraged people to go beyond their comfort zones to try new things, just as St Angela had advised!
Anne was particularly good in a crisis and was always highly organised! At times, her planning was too premature - many of us will remember the plans she made for the funeral of Sr. Cecily Banwells’ sister. The said lady was frail but still alive!
On another occasion Anne called an emergency meeting for her team. At the conclusion of the business Anne produced the written Minutes ready to be signed - written of course prior to the discussion!
During Anne’s years as provincial she recognised the need for our Ursuline schools to be transferred to diocesan or lay trusts. With Chris Grogan and others, she founded the annual Ursuline Education conferences which are still greatly valued. Anne was generous with her time. Here are extracts from messages we have received:
Sr Anne was such a rock to me. She believed in me, supported and more than encouraged me - and prayed for me too.
She constantly supported me through the dramatic changes required to bring the standards of the school to a higher level.
She showed real professionalism and was committed to helping us succeed. She was always available to be a sounding board on school issues and was so kind to me when my father died.
In the messages we have received Anne’s kindness to people is referred to frequently - just one further example:
When my sister died from bone cancer her Requiem Mass was to be in Surrey. Feeling empty inside I was deeply touched to meet Anne in the church car park. I doubt that she ever understood just how much her kindness meant.
Away from responsibilities Anne was a volunteer with the Jesuit Refugee Service where she met Roger whom she took under her wing. She remained a constant source of support for him especially in the early years when he was battling alone for his settled status here in England. She rejoiced with him when, years later, he was joined by his wife and children. We are pleased to welcome them to Mass today.
Anne felt very at home in the Holy Cross parish in Catford. She made firm friends there and much enjoyed her involvement in the RCIA programme and other church events.
Anne was a gifted musician; she was one of the few Ursulines able to play the organ in the Westgate chapel. She composed inspirational liturgical music and introduced us all to the St Louis Jesuit’s songs which we still enjoy today.
Like all of us, Anne had her faults and her “off” days; there were times when she lacked confidence in herself. She found diminishment hard, yet in the face of her own illnesses she was brave. Most recently she had a debilitating blood condition which unsurprisingly she often found irksome and frustrating. She attended Guy's hospital for several years and was well known and loved in the specialist haematology department. We are so grateful to Dr. Claire Harrison and her team who prayed with Anne in her final hours and ensured she had the comfort of a priest. We know they are with us in spirit today.
Anne spent several years in the Lourdes community at Westgate. At first, she was able to walk by the sea and enjoy reading and her computer. But gradually the illness took its toll and unsurprisingly brought its measure of irritation. However, by the time she reached Wanstead last September she seemed to have crossed her rubicon and had acquired a greater calm and acceptance. She took up knitting and played the keyboard to the delight of everyone.
It was good for her to be near the Forest Gate Community again. Not long before she died, we finally found, a Covid-and-lockdown-free time, when she was well. She spent an enjoyable sunny Saturday afternoon with the community in our garden. She was obviously delighted to be there and loved the "retirement" adaptations we had made to the house she had had such a hand in building thirty years ago. It was an unforgettable and delightful afternoon for all of us.
Above all, Anne was an Ursuline. Just three months ago, along with Sisters Gwyn and Kathy, she marked her diamond jubilee in this church. Christopher celebrated the Mass and joined us for the celebrations in the parish hall. It was such a joyous day for her.
We thank Anne for her presence amongst us, her generosity and her kindness. Each one of us has special memories of Anne. Let’s keep in mind her wonderful smile which we see on the front of the Mass booklet. The final words are from a St Louis Jesuit song which speaks of God’s promise:
Be not afraid. I go before you always.
Come, follow me and I will give you rest.