TRIBUTES have been paid to a Catholic nun and former Weymouth primary school headteacher who has died.

Sister Mary Aquin O’Carroll, a member of the Sisters of Mercy, died at her home at the Convent of Mercy on Wyke Road aged 77. She died peacefully following a long illness.

Sister Aquin, who was one 15 children and was born Ellen O’ Carroll in Cahirdown, County Kerry, was head of St Augustine’s Primary School for 22 years.

She took over in December 1976 following the retirement of Sister Philomena. It was her second school after a spell at a parish school in Hillingdon, London where she had qualified as a teacher.

In her retirement she became chaplain to the Young Offender Institution on Portland and also chaplain to St Augustine’s.

Sister Mary Cecily from the Convent of Mercy said: “For 22 years she put all her energy, strength and ideas into running the school helping to make it one of the top primary schools in the country. Her staff and pupils loved her and flourished greatly under her guidance.

“As a community we witnessed this by the dozens of cards, letters and messages received during the last few months of her life.”

She added: “She had lived the last eight months of her life with great acceptance of the devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness.”

A statement from the Catholic parish said: “It is with sadness we say goodbye to Sister Aquin who after a very long illness, departed this life peacefully and returned to God on October 6.”

The funeral will be held at St Joseph’s Church, Stavordale Road tomorrow at 12noon.

There will be refreshments in the parish hall after the funeral.