Vale Margot Beckett – Education Officer, Catholic Schools Office

By Sallyanne Butel, Administrative Assistant, Catholic Schools Office

Our good friend and colleague Margot died peacefully on 13 August after a 5-year battle with melanoma. Margot was a fantastic teacher, a passionate REC and an accomplished member of the Mission team. She was graced with excellent communication skills and a capacity to engage students and colleagues in all aspects of Mission and education.

Margot fulfilled a lifelong dream to go to university and in her late 30s she completed a teaching degree, followed by a MA in Theology in 1998. She started work in our Diocese in 1990 in several schools on the Northern Beaches, Forestville and St Joseph’s, Narrabeen, Margot was a woman of great faith and soon became the Religious Education Coordinator at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville.

Around 2006 Margot came to work in at the Catholic Schools Office as a Religious Education Officer supporting the Northern Beaches area. She excelled in this role and became the mentor to many young teachers who have since gone on to become RECs, APs and Principals. We watched in admiration as Margot faced the uncertainty and difficulties of her illness with grace and courage. She was ever grateful and always hopeful. In our own way, each of us, will miss her hope, her faith and deep generosity of spirit.

We received some beautiful messages from her colleagues at her passing:

I know personally I wouldn’t be where I am today without her initial stepping stone help, as she introduced me to so many people in the office which allowed me to further develop my career.

The three sisters were a Godsend for me at Narrabeen that year! As you say Margot was a REC’s lifeline, a truly special lady. May she rest in peace.

I can only imagine Margot now beaming with pride as the Lord says to her with great affection, “Well done, good and faithful servant - woman, wife, mother, nurse, student, teacher, educational leader, parishioner, performer….” What a rich life she led and we were privileged to know her and serve with her.

Margot held a very special spot down at Narrabeen and the staff reflected at morning tea about her loving nature, her guidance and support for all staff. They remembered her famous lolly jar on her desk.

I am very sorry to hear the news of Margot’s death. She was an absolutely delightful woman and a pleasure to work with. I will miss her and will continue to pray for her and her family.

My condolences go out to Margot’s family and friends. Margot was a woman of courage and had great faith. We are all fortunate to have the opportunity to know her and to work with her.

Margot Beckett