A LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL
22 May 2018

Vale Michelle Anne da Roza
9.03.1963-21.05.2018

It is with deep sadness that I write to advise you that Michelle da Roza entered into eternal life yesterday morning, Monday 21 May, a little after midnight.

She was in the company of her parents, Rosemary and Brian, her husband, Michael, and other close relatives.

Michelle came to St Mary MacKillop College in 2012, initially as a Teaching and Learning Coordinator on the Padua Campus. Upon the retirement of Michelle Marks, Michelle da Roza won the position of Assistant Principal Curriculum and held that position with great wisdom, strength, and purpose. Prior to Michelle’s appointment to MacKillop, she held various positions of leadership in English and Curriculum at St Edmund’s College, Griffith, Marist College, Pearce, and St Stanislaus’ College, Bathurst, where she commenced her career.

As many of you would know, Michelle had been battling cancer with her typical strength and dry humour for two years. We have lost a warm and sincere friend and all of us have lost a powerful advocate for the primacy of curriculum in the place of our school.

Michael da Roza has asked me to advise the following details:

• Holy Rosary will be held for Michelle in the Gymnasium at the Padua (Wanniassa) Campus on Thursday 24 May from 4pm.
• A Requiem Mass will be held at Holy Family Church, Gowrie, on Wednesday 30 May from 10am.

Funeral Information

Michelle was a woman of deep faith; growing up in a Catholic family, educated by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, exhibiting fidelity to the Gospel, and with a deep devotion to St Mary MacKillop. I’m sure many of you would appreciate that this is a most challenging time for many staff at the College. In our grief, it is an opportunity for us to support each other in prayerfulness and in practical ways. I give thanks for the courage we find in each other in this time of sadness.

Should any student wish to speak to a school counsellor, that service will be provided as a priority.

Requiescat in pace.

With sincere regrets,

Michael Lee
Principal

Should you wish to share your thoughts, fond memories, stories, or photos of Michelle, the family has created a webpage to remember and celebrate Michelle's life.

View the page