The death of Sr Ancilla Leech osb

March 17, 2026 | Current News

It is with great sadness we announce the death of our dear sister, Ancilla, on the morning of March 16th.

In February this year she was diagnosed with stomach cancer and given one – two years. However, during the last two weeks the cancer moved to her bowel and her time with us changed to 3 – 7 days. She began palliative care in Wollongong hospital and last Wednesday came home so that we could look after her, with the help of the palliative carer nurses and doctors.  Her death came as a shock to us  as we had hoped to have her with us for a longer time.

Ancilla’s acceptance and peace in times of suffering throughout her whole life have stayed with her in these last days.

She saw herself as “dissolving into something bigger – fast.  I’m stretching to the ends of the cosmos and that’s exciting.  My bucket is full.  I’ve done everything I need to do.  I am at peace. God is good.”

She was ready in every way for this stage of her new life into God.

Sr Ancilla was a beautiful sister, an inspired and creative artist, a woman of presence and prayer, a lover of all things Christ and the Cosmos and a devoted and loving friend.  We will miss her.

The funeral will be here at the Abbey March 24th at 11.00 a.m.

The funeral will be livestreamed. The link to the livestream will be made available on this page nearer to date.