On the morning of 1st July 2003, the Sisters at Alton Convent announced the very sad news of the death of Mother Madeleine aged 90 years.

The Requiem Mass and celebration of the life of Sister Madeleine de Jesus who died on June 30 took place on Monday 7 July at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Alton.    Sisters from the Congregation of Our Lady of Providence, family friends  from many walks of life as well as former pupils from far and wide came to pay their last respects and say good-bye to the nun whose faith, determination and vision helped to establish the Alton Convent School, a Convent in Basingstoke and mission in India where there are now 11 convents.

The Church was almost half full an hour before the service began. Pupils from the school formed the choir and orchestra and current and former staff members filled several benches.  Many 'old girls' from all eras also attended each one recalling their own memories of Mother Madeleine. Father Wilfred Baldwin -  Alton's former parish priest -  was the Principal Celebrant with Father Hart the present parish priest, together with priests from the Redemptorist Fathers and priests from other parishes.

By 11 am the Church was packed and Mother's coffin was brought into the Church to the hymn ‘For all the saints who from their labours rest’ followed by the Sisters, both from Alton and  Basingstoke as well as Sr. Sylvette Marie (Sumpy) and Sr. Marieanne, the Super General of the Order. Srs. Helen and Therese draped the coffin with a white mantle and Sr Cecilia placed a small posy of poppies (Mother's favourite flowers) on top.

The readings of the Mass were beautiful; from 1 Corinthians 12 - 13, read by Marie-Celine Crispin, a pupil at the Alton Convent in 1943, and the Gospel from John 20 - the account of the meeting of Jesus and Mary of Magdala on the first Easter morning. Pupils from the junior and senior schools formed the choir to lead the singing with music from the schools orchestra. Cherubino's ‘Ave Maria’ was sung by Lauren Mackrell and Andrew Lloyd-Webber's ‘Pie Jesu’ by Stephanie Dade. During the Requiem Mass a homily on the life and work of Mother Madeleine was given by Father Baldwin, and a reflection on her life by the Superior General Sr. Marieanne. 

 She recounted one amusing anecdote which sums Mother up beautifully. "One of the sisters went to visit Mother in  hospital. As she had been silent for some time, the Sister asked her what she was thinking about - "Mind your own business" was the  prompt reply. Among the Sisters present was Sr Elizabeth who came from France to help with the foundation of the Convent in Alton in 1938 and has remained there ever since. Also present was Penny Moss who was one of the original eight pupils and first boarder when the school first opened.

Mother's coffin left the Church to the wonderful hymn ‘Thine be the Glory’ and the burial ceremony took place in Alton Cemetery where wreaths and bunches of summer flowers from all those who had worked or been connected with Mother Madeleine were placed on her grave.  She is buried beneath the shade of a fir tree next to Brother Ninian.  A tiny oak tree is just starting to grow nearby - it is a beautifully peaceful spot. Refreshments were provided back at the Convent which gave an opportunity to meet old friends and to talk about memories of 'Reverend Mother'. There is a book of condolences which will be available for some time to come.

Thanks to Susanne Cansfield (nee Woodley) & Teresa Douse (nee Marsh)