The late renowned TV chef, whose anniversary it is today, Jennifer Paterson, (one half of the fat Ladies television series) could invariably be seen outside the Little Oratory on a Sunday morning puffing on a post Mass cigarette. Her gravelly voice and plain common sense approach to life endeared her late in life to her audience.
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| Jennifer Paterson RIP - an Extraordinary Catholic! |
She was, of course, a Traditionalist, oops, sorry to use that tag but it places this story in context.
A report from the Peterborough column in The Daily Telegraph of 13th October 1999 (after her death) records how a priest friend of hers persuaded her to attend the Mass he was celebrating. He recalled her sitting in the front pew glowering at the liturgical fol-de-rols of the then Novus Ordo Mass.
When the Kiss of Peace was announced, he caught her eye only to see her discreetly extending two fingers to him in her own version of the sign of peace.
Jennifer Paterson died of cancer on 10 August 1999 and had the benefit of a Requiem Mass at the London Oratory attended by over 1,000 people.
As a chain smoker she was aware of the dangers of lung cancer but carried on smoking right up to the end - "...it's terminal cancer so why not?"
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.
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