Fr Stan Dye RIP

Fr Roger Dawson SJ writes in a message to Friends of St Beuno's: It is my sad duty to inform you that Stan died at 4am on Sunday morning. He had been admitted to hospital with a chest infection which turned out to be pneumonia a few weeks ago (he has been COVID-free throughout). There were other problems with his kidney and swallow reflex and he was transferred to High Dependency Unit when he got a pulmonary embolism and also they were having trouble keeping his oxygen levels up. The last week he has been up and down, and the doctors told us that there was little more that they could do. His sister came down from the North East on Saturday and was with him yesterday evening, and his Provincial visited on Saturday morning. He was awake but a bit confused, and we knew that once they had withdrawn the 'forced oxygen' it was only a matter of time before he passed away.

Stan will be a huge loss to us all, personally and collectively. We all knew him for his wisdom and good sense on so many counts, both personally and collectively. He was one of the most compassionate people I have ever met, and it is no coincidence that he was sought out as a confessor. Penitents knew that they would encounter the compassionate heart of Christ in Stan. He was a very gifted spiritual director with huge experience of the Exercises and he provided so much 'spiritual ballast' for St Beuno's. He has probably directed thousands over nearly twenty years here and so many will remember his wise and gentle direction with great gratitude. He suffered enormously in his life. After many years of missionary work in Africa the serious illness that disabled him left him in constant pain. He bore this stoically and with dignity, never wanting to draw attention to himself or seeking special treatment, and with an iron will and resolve that astonished me until I just got used to it. This pain and suffering is at last over, and we commend this good and merciful priest to the goodness and mercy of God.

Eternal rest grant unto him, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

We don't know what the White Fathers will arrange for the funeral yet. Your prayers would be greatly appreciated, especially by his sisters Alison and Joyce.

This comes with my best wishes and prayers for Advent at the end of this strange and demanding year. And I hope it is not too long before you will be able to return to St Beuno's.

Yours in Christ our Lord,

Roger

(Fr Roger is Director of St Beuno's Jesuit Retreat Centre in North Wales. Fr Stan was a Missionary of Africa (White Father), More information to follow,)