In loving Memory of

Sister Mary Steedman

25th March 1934 - 20 April 2020

Mary was the eldest of five children and lived in England until war broke out and she and her family returned to Edinburgh where she attended St Thomas of Aquin's High School. In her twenties, she joined the religious order of the Sisters of Mercy, she qualified as a primary teacher and spent virtually all of her school career at St Catherine's Primary School, Gracemount. After her retirement she continued as a pastoral assistant at St Catherine's parish. Later she moved to the Rosehill residence in Dalkeith where she was lovingly cared for until her death in 2020.

You may add your own memories by completing the details in the form below and they will be added in due course.

I know you will share my deep sadness that Sister Mary is no longer here among us. In the big picture we cannot be sad for her.
She has passed over to the eternal life and is with the Lord who graciously shared her with us for eighty-six years.
Now she is enjoying the fruits of her many years of loving service most of which were spent among us in South East Edinburgh. Our great regret is that because of the Covid 19 virus we are unable to gather together to give thanks and pay tribute to her and her Ministry among us. We will do this in due course with a Mass of Thanksgiving and as she would want with a party afterwards……

May the Lord grant her eternal joy and peace.

Fr Mike spoke movingly at her Golden Jubilee and the text can be found here.

We held a Cluster Mass of Thanksgiving for Sr Mary on 28 August 2022.

For pictures go here.

Father Mike

22/4/2020

(adapted)

Sr Mary came to our house with Ann and Susan at my son Verrall’s baptism preparation and she asked us about our baptism and faith as Roman Catholics. Sr Mary was very impressed with our answers.
She asked me for anything if you want to help at church and my answer was that I will be happy to do the readings and she added me to the reading list which I am happily reading in the church.
Since then I know Sr Mary. She said hello to me and my little one who is 11 now every Sunday.
Our last meeting was celebrating her anniversary. In the church and I was reading that day.
Going to miss Sr Mary.
Eternal rest grant to Sr Mary O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul rest in peace.

Vidya Vinod and

Verrall D’souza

3/5/2020

My favourite and lasting memory of Sr Mary is when there was a social of any kind in the parish, be it seniors’ dinners or evening socials. That was at a time when she was extremely fit and well and she would get up to recite the poem “I’m a wee Kirk Moose”. She not only recited the poem but gave us the actions as well ...especially the verse with the wee moose jinkin’ in an’ oot the pews. Brilliant!

Mary Thomson

3/5/2020

The Christie family have a poetic tribute to Sr Mary. Gerry Christie remembers the time when he was taught by her. The words are below and Gerry has also recorded them and you can listen to it here: https://youtu.be/wBO-6lOr0qg

Sister Mary
Sister Mary, was more than a friend we are pleased to say,
Sister was part of the Christie family.
Sister shared with us many a Christening, First Communion and lots of family gatherings too,
Sister would also call in to see us out the blue.
‘Would you like to stay for tea?’ mum would say,
‘I’ll get you a sandwich and a bowl of soup, I just made today!’

We all went to St Catherine’s School,
Sister wore her black habit, which made her look a wee bit scary!
As a teacher we called her Sister Cuthbert, before we knew her as Sister Mary.
Don’t be cheeky or misbehave or you’ll get extra sums,
and if you still don’t behave – remember, I know your mum!

Mum and Sister enjoyed each other’s company through thick and thin.
A friendship of many memories, where do we begin.
Sister Mary was a great support to mum and family when dad passed away,
and so this friendship grew in a lovely way.

Sister Mary would often take us for a run in the car,
down to see her Auntie Alice at North Berwick, that wasn’t too far.
While we were there, just for a wee treat,
we would all get a supper, from the chippie, at the bottom of the street.

We have many a photo of Sister, laughing the way she did, with all her charm,
she has even held all mum’s grandchildren, in her arms.

The latter years in the Rosehill Home, Sister Mary stayed for a spell,
Mum would meet Norma, and the three of them, would share many an hour or two,
as they all got on so well,

Then one April day,
Jesus called Sister Mary to say,
‘Your work on earth has now been truly done,
come and join me with my angels, to my heavenly kingdom.’

So, Sister Mary, we pray to you,
to guide and help us daily, as you used to do.
Your presence will never leave us,
your smile will always be there,
With ALL the happy memories, that we treasure and we share.
Gerard Christie

Christie family

10/5/2020

Kathleen Smith in remembrance of Sr Mary chose Sr Mary’s favourite hymn ‘Suscipe’ by Catherine McAuley.

Alisa then recorded the music for it.

My God I am yours for time and eternity.
Lord, I am yours forever.
It is you must teach me to trust in your providence,
Loving Lord.

You are a God of love and tenderness,
I place my trust in you.
And I ask that you grant me acceptance of your will,
Loving Lord

My God I am yours for time and eternity.
Lord, I am yours forever.
It is you must teach me to trust in your providence,
Loving Lord.

Take from my heart all pain and anxiety,
Let nothing sadden me but sin.
And then let my delight be hoping that I’ll see your face,
God my all.