RIP Br William Lawley: Remembering a Life of Gentle Presence and Generous Service
On 29 September, Br William Lawley passed away in Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Below is an obituary written by Br Darren Burge, the Provincial of the Star of the Sea Province.
It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the death of our dear Brother Bill Lawley, who died from natural causes on Tuesday 29 September. His death came as a deep shock to the Brothers, his family and the staff in the Marist office, all of whom had come to know and value his quiet presence.
Bill was 81 years of age and had lived 62 years as a Marist Brother, sharing generously in the life and mission of the Province.
William (Bill) Lawley’s life began in London, the eldest of five children of William and Evelyn Lawley. When William was two and a half years of age, his family moved from the UK to Aotearoa New Zealand. Bill grew up in a devout Catholic family whose faith nurtured the beginnings of his religious vocation. The parish priest in Riccarton, Christchurch, spoke warmly of the Lawley family whom he knew well.
In 1960, Bill began the journey of formation that would shape his long and faithful life as a Marist Brother. He entered the Novitiate on 12 September 1963 and made his First Profession exactly one year later. In 1970, Bill made his Final Profession, committing himself wholeheartedly to the Marist life and mission.
That initial formation prepared Bill for ministry, but his learning and development did not end with the Scholasticate. Like many Brothers of his generation, he began his ministry without additional formal qualifications; throughout his life, however, he readily embraced opportunities for further personal, spiritual and pastoral growth. He participated in a Spiritual and Pastoral Leadership course at Marcellin Hall and completed a Clinical Pastoral Education programme in Melbourne.
Across these years, Bill served the Province generously in a wide variety of ministries. Beginning from 1968 he gave himself faithfully to the classroom apostolate, with appointments that took him across the Province as it was then, from Invercargill to Fiji and Samoa. In 1979, he began a new chapter of ministry in administrative and support roles, including his many years in this capacity at St Paul’s College.
Bill’s key appointments also included Napier, Samoa, Timaru, Whanganui, Newtown, Christchurch, Marcellin College, Nemi (Italy), Melbourne, St Bernard’s College, Gisborne, Epsom, Grey Lynn, Hillsborough, Mangere Bridge and Villa Maria/Glendowie.
In the final years of his ministry, Bill brought his faithful and welcoming presence to the Marist Centre in Auckland.
In every workplace and every situation, his steady service was a generous contribution to the life of the Province and to the many people he encountered. He exemplified the ‘little virtues’ as a gracious gentleman, loved by his work colleagues. He relished being assigned a modest regular task, which he saw as an opportunity to be of generous service and a fitting way to make a contribution.
In day-to-day community life and in work settings, Bill’s presence was a great blessing. Quiet and reserved, he went about his work without fuss or demand, bringing a gentle, supportive and dependable presence to those who lived and worked alongside him. He was a careful observer and a comprehensive compiler of knowledge about the world, precise in recalling conversations, experiences and factual information. When he expanded on their meaning or implications, there was a solid dose of wisdom. His brief and apposite interjections made him great company. Those who knew Br Bill will remember with affection his understated humour, his faithfulness and the unassuming way in which he shared our life as a Brother.
At this time of sadness, I offer our heartfelt sympathies and the prayerful support of the Province to Brothers of his community as well as to Bill’s remaining siblings and their families. We hold each of them close in our thoughts and prayers. I also express our gratitude to our Health Care staff for the kindness and attentive care they showed Bill in recent times.
May he rest in peace.
-Br Darren Burge
Provincial
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