Anne Lowe writes:

MARION WARMAN’s interest in the Church and church music was awakened during her time as an undergraduate at Newnham College, Cambridge. Leaving with a degree in mathematics, she spent the next 37 years as an inspiring teacher of her subject. With a fine voice, she became a longstanding member of the Bach Choir, rejoicing in singing, particularly such works as the St Matthew Passion, which she sang more than 70 times.

It was while a patient in hospital in 1974, however, that she felt called to chaplaincy work. After following the Southwark Ordination Course from 1976 to 1979, she was admitted to the order of deaconesses in 1979, and ordained deacon in 1987. It was to her parish church, St Mary’s, Spring Grove, Isleworth, where she had been a longstanding congregant, that she was appointed assistant curate in 1989. She also served as a member of the West Middlesex Hospital chaplaincy team until 2005.

Her work in the ministry extended to Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral, where, as a member of the pastoral chaplaincy team, she welcomed visitors and led prayers. She was forced to retire only when it was noticed that she was over the age for insurance.

In 1994, she was one of the first group of women to be ordained priest in the London diocese, and in this capacity continued to work tirelessly within the parish of St Mary’s until her early nineties. She lived independently at home until her last year, and, after celebrating her 100th birthday in a care home, died peacefully four months later, on 8 March. She summed up her life thus: “I have been much blessed in being occupied in activities that have been both fulfilling and a real joy. Thanks be to God!”