Fond tributes paid to legendary figure in Athlone education

Sr Mary Austin (Frances) Briscoe, whose pioneering work in special needs education in Athlone helped lead to the foundation of St Hilda's Services, has been laid to rest in her 100th year.

A legendary figure in local education, and someone known for her profound kindness and dedication to others, Sr Austin was in her 80th year of religious life when she passed away in the care of Sonas Nursing Home on Tuesday, May 17.

At her funeral Mass in St Mary's Church last Friday, the chief celebrant, Fr Pat Murphy said her "wonderful long life" had been "lived to the full, with such a deep impact and influence on the lives of so many."

Fr Pat noted that the Galway native began teaching "at a time when schools could be a harsh place," but she stood out as someone who was always very good to children.

"She was a person who showed great kindness, great respect for them, and great understanding of them. Indeed, generations of children addressed her with great affection as 'Ma'm Austin'," he said.

Sr Austin was born Mary Frances Briscoe on October 1, 1922 in Portumna, before her family moved to Fahy, Eyrecourt, in 1933. She joined the La Sainte Union order in 1942, and spent virtually all of her religious life in Athlone.

Her fellow La Sainte Union sister, Sr Denise O'Brien, spoke at last Friday's service which she called "a Mass of farewell to Sr Austin."

She said the Hebrew word 'hesed' could be translated as "loving kindness" and meant "giving oneself fully with love and compassion, and with a love that is steadfast."

Sr Denise said it was this word, hesed, which came to her mind when she received the news that Sr Austin "had gone home to God."

She spoke about how Sr Austin had been the correspondent for the La Sainte Union community for the last 30 years, sending out Christmas cards, letters, and keeping up a correspondence with those on the foreign missions.

While teaching in what today is St Mary's NS, Sr Austin "began taking individuals who needed extra help," and this developed into a special class in the infants' school in the early 1960s, Sr Denise explained.

She said Sr Austin went on to arrange the use of a bungalow on Retreat Road as the first school in Athlone for children with special needs.

"This was the beginning of St Hilda's Special School. To that date, special needs schools were only found in Dublin or Cork. Sr Mary Austin brought special needs (education) to Athlone. And she didn't stop there," said Sr Denise.

"She successfully negotiated with the Department of Education to recognise the need for a school for children with special educational needs in Athlone.

"As the number of pupils enrolled in St Hilda's Special School increased, La Sainte Union sisters loaned two buildings to the committee while a permanent school was being built on Grace Park Road."

Sr Denise added that Sr Austin had also been instrumental in establishing adult services for people with an intellectual disability.

"When Sr Austin retired, she became an active volunteer in St Hilda's Special School for many years. Her spare time was spent fundraising, visiting and counselling families of children with special educational needs.

"Sr Austin will be forever remembered by the St Hilda's family for her life's work on campaigning for the rights and improvement of services for children and adults with special needs," she said.

A niece of Sr Austin, Mella Muldoon (nee Briscoe), also shared some of her own fond memories and stories about her aunt during the service. She said "determined" was one of the first words that came to mind when describing Sr Austin.

"Nothing got in the way of her plans. She couldn't drive, but that didn't stop her," she said.

"I can still see the blue Midlands Butter and Bacon Company van pulling up outside our gate in Fahy one Friday evening, about 50 years ago, with Auntie Austin perched in the front, sitting on a stack of butter boxes as it turned out. She always got there, one way or the other.

"She had so many health problems but never gave in to them, or let them hold her back."

She spoke of how Sr Austin was very industrious and worked tirelessly, always in the service of others. Her work encompassed everything "from teaching the underprivileged and special children, to making curtains, sheets, pillowcases for half the country."

"She always loved coming home to Fahy. Her favourite visit was for helping with the lambing, and she was just fantastic at it.

"She has so many loyal friends and admirers. You never went down the town in Athlone with her without so many people being genuinely happy to meet Madam Austin."

Mella also outlined how Sr Austin had been renowned for her beautifully handwritten letters.

"I think when An Post announced during Covid that they were allowing free postal services from nursing homes, they hadn't counted on Auntie Austin's prolific letter writing. It probably nearly broke them!"

She reflected on how Sr Austin had been like a mother to her nieces, nephews and extended relatives.

"She was like a third parent, and she always kept us in line. But, ultimately, Austin was a child of God. She lived her life by all His rules and happily so.

"She lived her life, in this life, to be with Him in the next. She never wanted anything for herself unless she could pass it on to somebody else.

"Now, Lord, we pass her on to you, and look after her. May you rest in peace, Austin," she said to a round of applause.

Her passing is deeply regretted by her La Sainte Union Sisters, her brothers Charlie and Ambrose, sisters-in-law Eileen and Pat, her loving family and wide circle of friends.

Following the Mass on Friday her burial took place in in Fahy Cemetery, Eyrecourt, Galway.