Love of music shared with all
Obituaries
Sister Anne Cashen RSM (born April 11 1943, died April 7 2024)
Anne Cashen was among a group of Sisters celebrating their Diamond Jubilee this year. A professed Sister of Mercy for 60 years, she would have celebrated her 81st birthday a few days after her death.
Anne was an independent, resourceful, creative and kind woman of Mercy. In her later years she always had a warm welcoming smile for her visitors at The Pines Southern Cross Residential Facility.
Her motto, ‘Thy Kingdom come’ was her guiding strength in all aspects of her ministry, a ministry that combined her love of music and her desire to bring children to a love of music.
Anne taught children individually, in class groups, and in small instrumental groups throughout many Mercy schools. After completing a Bachelor of Special Education she was able to use new skills and knowledge to enhance her teaching.
Anne was proficient in piano, recorder, flute, guitar and violin. She also enjoyed singing and throughout her Mercy life joined choirs wherever she lived, including the Henley and Grange Drama Society and the St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral Choir.
Anne’s creativity was always evident. She enjoyed gardening and her colourful displays of flowers, especially roses, was a joy not only to her, but to visitors and passersby. She loved sewing, jewellery making and knitting, and her hands were never idle in her younger days. Anne also enjoyed the company of many furry friends over the years.
When Anne moved into residential care, she became genuinely interested in her fellow residents and in the staff, remembering the names of their children and other aspects of their lives.
“She loved meeting people and finding out about them,” said her sister Marie.
“I think she knew all the carers at The Pines by name and much of the details of their lives. I admired her generosity of spirit, her sense of humour and her acceptance of her restricted life.”
Fr Paul Cashen MSC, a cousin of Anne’s, and main celebrant at her funeral Mass said, “There are people who are recognised, not for their great achievements, but for their personal lives of kindness, support and care”.
He hoped that his words reflected the goodness of Anne and her motivation to share her love as a follower of Jesus.
Anne is remembered as a kind and gentle woman of Mercy, who loved family and friends, flowers, animals, and of course, music.
May she rest in peace.
Taken from eulogies by Sr Margaret Adams and Marie Good and Fr Paul Cashen’s homily.
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