2025 got off to a somewhat sad start for myself and the rest of the Missio Scotland team when news reached us that long-time volunteer, former Catholic educational stalwart and fantastic witness to her Faith, Anne McCrossan (above), had passed away after battling cancer.
It was standing room only at her Requiem Mass, which took place on January 17 in her home parish of St Aidan’s in Wishaw, which was testament to the regard in which she was held by so many people, be they family members, friends, former educational colleagues or past pupils. Every single one of them with their own story of how Anne positively affected their lives and I’m no different, but before we get to that, I’d like to give you an insight into Anne’s life and work.
I had the privilege of speaking to Anne’s husband Tom, who she loved so dearly, prior to her Requiem Mass and he was only too happy to fill me in on the parts of her life that were lesser known to me. He joyfully told me of how they met ‘at the dancing’ and how their romance grew despite a period where work commitments kept them apart; how they navigated the trials and tribulations of family life with four children; Anne’s numerous teaching posts and dedication to the field of education, the multitude of parish work she undertook, for which she received a Benemerenti medal in 2019; and, of course, their everlasting love for one another.
That love was so evident in Tom’s voice as he spoke and also in the words of Fr Jim Grant, the principal celebrant at the Requiem Mass who knew Anne well from her days as headteacher at Holy Family Primary School in Mossend in his former parish. His tribute spoke of Anne having instilled in her family ‘faith, love and service,’ while also stressing that ‘she lived out the Beatitudes and lived out her Faith.’ He also mentioned that her time spent in Catholic education will have ‘touched the hearts and minds of thousands of people in her lifetime,’ adding that her ‘legacy should live on in our hearts and actions, as they are a reflection of Christ’s love in our lives.’
Perhaps the most poignant words Fr Jim spoke concerned the meaning of holiness, which he explained ‘is found in our daily interactions with people.’ While that quality would have naturally been evident in Anne’s familial and personal relationships, the many strong and loving connections Anne made professionally were indicative of it too. And Anne never really retired to be honest. She continued to go into local schools in Wishaw, helping children achieve their Pope Francis Faith Awards and she also promoted the work of Missio Scotland—the Bishop’s chosen charity for Catholic primary schools—with great passion too (above).
That is where we crossed paths and I’m so blessed and fortunate that we did. I had left the Scottish Catholic Observer after 13 years to begin working as Missio Scotland’s new Communications Officer in 2016. Most people would think of that role from a media perspective, both traditional and digital, but at the Pontifical Mission Societies it also includes being present in our wonderful school communities and informing them about who we are and what we do. I had a wealth of experience of the former, but far less so the latter. In fact, the last time I’d spent any length of time in a school was when I was a pupil myself!
Into that void stepped Anne, who’d been working as a Missio Scotland volunteer for some years at that point. She took me under her wing without a second thought and I shadowed her as she delivered assemblies on our behalf throughout Glasgow and Lanarkshire. It goes without saying that she had a brilliant way with both staff and pupils and her example was the one I tried to follow as I set out to do assemblies on my own. It went from being quite a daunting experience at first to now being one of the favourite parts of my job and that wouldn’t have been possible without Anne’s help.
During her Requiem Mass, the entrance hymn was the hymn to the Guardian Angel, which was so apt because for many people, myself included, that’s what Anne was, a Guardian Angel.
So, 2025 did get off to a somewhat sad start, but during that celebration of Anne’s life, it occurred to me that in this Jubilee Year, with Pope Francis encouraging us to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ Anne already was one. Surely there can be no better tribute to her than for us to aspire to be likewise, be that as a parent, a family member, in our chosen professions, in our parishes or simply in our daily lives. If we do, we’ll surely leave the same indelible mark on many lives that Anne did and that is a joyous thought.
Anne was a Guardian Angel and a Pilgrim of Hope. God bless her husband Tom, her children Kathleen, Caroline, John and David, her younger siblings Margaret and John, her family, friends and colleagues and all who knew this special lady.
Eternal rest grant unto Anne, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
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