Sr Pamela Davis OP recently received a fond farewell from the Glenorchy Parish community as she prepared to return to Sydney, after serving for 43 years in Southern Tasmania.

Many gathered for the farewell Mass at St John the Baptist Church in Glenorchy on Sunday December 14.

*Sr Pamela Davis OP. PHOTO: Catherine Sheehan/Archdiocese of Hobart.*

“It’s a wonderful occasion because I’ve got here people who were there in 1963 and who are still here, especially the young people I taught, and they’ve been a great support to me over the years,” Sr Pam said.

She first arrived in Glenorchy in 1963 and served as Principal of Holy Name School, a secondary school for girls.

She was a founding member of Dominic College, established in 1973 as a co-educational college.

After 11 years Sr Pam returned to New South Wales to undertake further studies and returned to Tasmania in 1994 when she was appointed the inaugural Principal of Guilford Young College, established as the senior Catholic college for Southern Tasmania.

When she retired from education in 2003, Sr Pam was appointed Pastoral Associate at St Mary’s Cathedral, a post she held for 12 years.

She returned to Glenorchy Parish in 2016 and over the past decade has served as a member of the Parish Ministry Team, the Parish Pastoral Council, and the Liturgy Committee.

“Sr Pam has been such wise friend and colleague to many of us in her numerous roles,” Chair of the St John the Baptist Parish Pastoral Council Elaine Doran said.

“Her passion for the young, families and those who are ill or in aged care has cemented her remarkable reputation as a person of enormous warmth and sincerity.

“Always with a twinkle in her eye, a jolly laugh and wise counsel, Sr Pam has definitely endeared herself to everyone with whom she has come in contact during her cumulative 43 years in Southern Tasmania.”

Sr Pam said providing pastoral care in the Glenorchy Parish had taught her much about life and about people, and had given her support in her own life’s journey.

“It’s been a great support to my life, to help me understand how life is for people, all different kinds of people, especially the sick and dying,” she said.

This article by Catherine Sheehan was published on the website of the Archdiocese of Hobart.