from
Our Lady's Mirror Summer Number 1953
WILLIAM
It is
with very great grief we have to tell our readers of the death of Mr
William Frary; known to so many pilgrims and visitors to the Shrine
just by his Christian name, for he was everyone’s friend, and
all lovers of Walsingham were his friends. For over thirty years he
had been a regular server and M.C. at the Parish Church of S. Mary;
one of the first members of the S.O.L.W., and from the time of the rebuilding
of the Holy House he had been Beadle, Gardener and Carillonneur. William
was always at hand and ready for any call at any time, for time did
not matter to him so long as he was doing “a job” for the
Shrine or anything or anyone connected with it. Our loss is irreparable,
not only because he was a devoted and loyal worker, but also a personal
and valued friend to so many. Since he was a young man of seventeen
he had been most regular in his personal religion, and a real defender
of the Faith in our village. Many souls have been helped over difficult
stiles by him, and he will be long remembered and loved. He leaves his
wife and two daughters, to whom our deepest sympathy is extended in
their great bereavement. William
died, as he wished, on Our Lady’s Assumption.
His body
was brought into the Pilgrimage Church on the morning of Tuesday, August
18th, and rested in front of the High Altar until after Vespers, which
were said at 6.30 when the coffin was removed to the chapel of S. Anne
(that of the S.O.L.W.) where it remained until the next morning. The
cortège left the Pilgrimage Church, which William loved so much,
at 9.15 and proceeded down the High Street to S. Mary’s Church.
Four of the Guardians walked beside the coffin, Father Patten and two
cantors walking in front and leading the psalms; the Beadle’s
mace draped in black was carried immediately behind the coffin. At the
church the office was said and a Requiem Mass sung by the Parish Priest.
After the absolutions the burial followed immediately. We have full
confidence that Our Lady will aid him by her prayers and we ask all
our readers to add their intercessions and good works so that he may
soon pass into the joys of the beatific vision.
Jesu mercy. Mary help.
|
from
Walsingham Review Number 65 August 1978
BESSIE
FRARY — An Appreciation
How many
of us in Walsingham will miss Bessie, who, in a quiet way, did so much
for others! For a long time after her husband died she carried on bravely
with the work in the Pilgrim’s Refectory, a work which they had
done together, and this was no easy task. She was very much loved by all
her friends, and also by the pilgrims — many of whom, having stayed
at her home when in Walsingham, asked to go back there again next time
they came. After Bessie had given up the Refectory work, she spent many
hours at home packing up ‘Walsingham Reviews’, ready to be
sent off.
Her services
to the Shrine were valued, and she was made a Dame of the Order of Our
Lady of Walsingham. Bessie’s life in her home and church was perhaps
a hidden one, a life of patient love, courage, and steadfastness; an example
and a strength to all of us. She never failed to be present at the 7.30
a.m. Mass on Sundays, and was able to receive Holy Communion through her
illness, until the end. May she rest in peace.
Written by the Priory of Our Lady, Walsingham. |
