Mary Shanahan RSCJ shares her reflections on Veronica’s funeral service and legacy below.

Veronica’s death came at a time when Lynette Toohey RSCJ and Diana Hayes RSCJ were at the General Chapter and I was aware of Betty McMahon RSCJ being the only RSCJ in Canberra having to organise all of the aspects of Veronica’s funeral.  I travelled down to Canberra the day before the funeral simply to be with Betty beforehand.  It was distressing that Betty who had arranged everything so well was unable to attend the funeral and the burial because she had developed pneumonia.

The funeral was in the Holy Rosary Parish at Watson with a Blessed Sacrament Father from the Philippines celebrating the funeral Mass with dignity and an understanding of what Veronica had meant to the many who attended the farewell.  What became very evident to me was the depth of the love and appreciation of Veronica’s gifts by all those present at the funeral.

It was said that Veronica had two passions; L’Arche and gardening.  Eileen Glass, originally the international representative of L’Arche in Australia, came from Brisbane for the funeral.  She spoke so beautifully of Veronica’s role at L’Arche and her summing up is with worth quoting.

“Veronica took a risk in coming to L’Arche, it’s not every member of a religious community who could make the transition to life in the lay community, especially one where people with an intellectual disability are at the heart.  Veronica rose to the challenge and flourished from the start…She brought a strong sense of vocation, of gospel living, evidenced in the faithful and compassionate presence for which so many of us remember her. She was a practical woman with a simplicity of heart that rendered her approachable to a wide range of people.”

When Veronica learnt of what Sister Anna Warlow, a Good Samaritan sister, was doing in the Mid West of Western Australia, this soon became another passion.  Sister Anna, under the Bishop, was responsible for developing a spiritual leadership in five small towns in the Mid West as the priests were so few.

Veronica’s years of volunteering have left a wonderful legacy.  Her support, energy and compassionate engagement has had a lasting impact, particularly with some of the aboriginal community and those families on the margins. On the occasions of days of prayer for rural women, Veronica’s skill as a masseuse added to the comfort and joy filled reflection of these women.

Veronica’s skill as a gardener was called on when the community received a grant to set up a community vegetable garden.  She not only helped to set it up but trained some indigenous youth to care for it.  She checked on the garden and on the carers when she returned each year. Veronica left a memory of a sister who reached out to those in need and to those who simply needed a friend.

At the burial in Bowral, which followed the day after the Mass of farewell, the Associates trained by Sister Betty McMahon, were there to farewell a Religious of the Sacred Heart whom they knew from her many years at Kerever Park.   There was no priest present and the simplicity of the prayer for the earth that was to receive the coffin would have pleased Veronica as would the sprinkling of the rose leaves on the grave by each one present.  It was a perfect day and seemed to mark Veronica’s leaving this earth with the love that she had given to many and who was loved in return.

RIP Veronica Dunphy RSCJ   21 March 1923 – 17 August 2024