SYBIL HANSFORD, Companion of the Society of Our Lady of the Isles, died on the Isle of Fetlar on 5 December, aged 84.

Outside her window, as she died, the sun shone and the blue sea stretched to the horizon and the isles of the Out Skerries. It was a view that Sybil loved and had known since her first visit to Fetlar nearly 20 years ago. At the time of that first visit, she was living in Reading, in the south of England. There she was given a book, written by an author called simply “Sister Agnes”. The book was A Tide that Sings, and told the story of the early years of what was to become the Fetlar Community.

Sybil was enchanted by it, and travelled to Shetland to see for herself. She was among the early members of The Caim, the wider membership of the Society spread across the world, and in 1992 decided to move to Fetlar and be a resident Companion, living alongside the Sisters.

During these years, her gentle welcome to visitors, and the way in which she kept the tiny gift-shop stocked, endeared her to all who made their way to Aithness on the remote island. She loved the people of the island, and was deeply committed to the work of the senior citizens’ club. She never missed the fortnightly meeting.

In the Byre Chapel, and then in the new Chapel of Christ the Encompasser, with its views out to sea and across the island, Sybil’s intercessions and work, as she cared for the chapels, helped weave the tapestry of prayer that is the work of the Community.

The Reverend Mother, Mary Agnes — the Sister Agnes of the book — who celebrated a requiem mass for Sybil in the beautiful new chapel, said of her: “Sybil understood the heart of this Community. She was the perfect Companion, and one of the most Christian people I have ever met.”

After the mass, a funeral service was held in the Parish Kirk of Fetlar, and Sybil was buried in the Kirkyard there. It lies just yards from beach at Tresta, and in sight of her home at Aithness. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.