At a certain
point you say
to the woods, to the sea,
to the mountains,
the world,
Now I am ready.
Now I will stop and be wholly attentive.
You empty yourself and wait,
listening...
Annie Dillard
Eleonora Mason (nee La Greca)
An extraordinary Journey
Eulogy at her Requiem Mass 29 November 2005
Most of you here to-day would know that there is a very special bond and relationship between the Religious of the Sacred Heart, the school community and the La Greca/Mason family. In accepting James’ invitation to speak of Nora this morning, I do so with pride in a remarkable young woman, an alumna of this school. I hope that what I say will reflect some small ways in which Nora was known, loved and respected by many Religious, by teachers and her friends.
Was there ever a child more longed for than Rom and Nina’s daughter, Eleonora? And was there ever a child with so many surrogate aunts, all of them, in her infancy, in long black robes! I’ve been told that Nora sometimes spoke of herself as the first baby to be born in the convent! Some of us remember the dark haired little girl, saw her grow up as a dearly loved child, who donned the uniform of Barat-Burn to commence her 13 years of education at Kincoppal-Rose Bay.
One of her friends remembers their first day at school vividly:
My mother used to tell me of the relief and happiness she felt when she saw Nora holding my hand as we skipped down the path at the end of my first day.
Nora had been chosen as my buddy, no doubt because of her kind, caring and gentle disposition. These were traits which characterised Nora throughout her life.
Though she grew up here at Rose Bay, as one of our extended family, she never took advantage of her unique situation. Rather she always showed a sense of being her own person, unassuming, proud of her Italian heritage yet embracing the life of her parents’ adopted country. One of her teachers particularly remembers her gentleness, her dignity and her sense of responsibility for the opportunities in life given her by her parents and the school. She was a conscientious student who always gave of her best. Another teacher said: “My most vivid memory is of Nora as a respectful equal. She would look me straight in the eye with quiet dignity and smile, on reflection, with her heart.” As her Principal, I valued her honesty and directness, which she combined with composure and good humour. I’m sure we all remember Nora’s laugh!
Some of her close friends have shared what she meant to them at school and beyond. Nora was always someone you could confide in, with an incredible sense of loyalty and an extremely happy nature. She was always there to comfort me when I needed it most. She was the best friend we all need, she was like a sister to me. Another said: She was one of those few girls that everyone would remember in a totally positive light, always on an even keel. Quite simply, I always remember Nora as being a lovely girl. I cannot remember hearing her have a bad word to say about anyone.
A well known educator of our Order, Janet Stuart, wrote: “Our education is not intended to turn the students out small and finished, but seriously begun on a wide basis.” I think this is very true of Nora who grew enormously as she moved beyond the fold of school. This growth was not only from a diploma in teaching to a Masters in Education, but as a woman and as an educator. One person spoke of her development as a teacher and the way in which she moved quickly from being a neophyte to one with her own authority and stance.
Janet Stuart also wrote: “The teacher has to live the life, as well as know the truth, and love both truth and life in order to make them loved….. Only one who is constantly growing in grace and love and knowledge can give true appreciation of what grace and love and knowledge are…” Might this point to the essence of who Nora was as a teacher, as a person and as a mother? She herself grew in grace and love and knowledge and gave these to her students, and especially to her own children, Nicholas and Giulia.
Her friends from school, many of whom are here to-day, remember her at their 20 year reunion last year, just a couple of months before her illness was diagnosed. Some of them have said she was so happy and looked so well on that occasion. James has told me that it was a significant moment for Nora – a moment of her own recognition of and belief in her personal growth and achievements.
It is not for me to speak in any detail of the last thirteen months of Nora’s life. But two close family friends have told me of her honesty and realism; her appreciation of James and his care for her; her love of family and appreciation of Rom and Nina’s constant support and love; the strength she gave her children; the supreme effort she made to keep things as normal as possible for her family; her loyalty to her friends and her interest in people even when she was in pain.
James has spoken of what it means to hold this Requiem Mass in the chapel, a place of such significance for him and Nora, for Rom and Nina, the place where they brought their children for Baptism. Let us acknowledge, each one of us, that we struggle with the reality of her dying at an age and stage where she had so much to live for. Let us also remember and honour her wish that to-day be a celebration of her life.
I invite you to join in praying that all that Nora held sacred may be respected by us; that everything in which she was great may continue to touch our lives and the lives of all who knew her; that she may go on living in her children, in their heart and minds, their courage and their conscience.
Anne McGrath RSCJ