Parish News

Bill Brown

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Bill Brown, a parishioner of St. Mary's and well-known face locally.

Many local residents will remember Bill from his time as Headteacher at Bo'ness Academy. Latterly, Bill returned to teaching Maths and was loved and well respected by staff and pupils alike at St. Mungo's High School.

Bill was a true gentleman, whose absolute kindness was met by his sharp wit. Yet he was also a man of great conviction, whose principles were never compromised.

Bill became Catholic later in life, prompting our parish to research and commence an RCIA programme. Bill was received into the Church and confirmed at the Easter vigil in 2017. His conviction throughout the process, and his commitment to his faith and our parish community was truly admirable.

Please keep Bill, his wife Jean and their wider family in your prayers at this difficult time.

While the current restrictions prevent us from gathering for a funeral Mass, Bill's coffin will pause briefly outside St. Mary's Church en route to the crematorium. The hearse will leave Bill's home at 11.35am on Tuesday 9th June, and pause at St. Mary's shortly afterwards. You are warmly invited to pay your respects by standing alongside the road at this time, however we would respectfully ask that anyone doing so continues to follow the government's guidance in relation to social distancing.