Sr Coral Hedley: a life of devotion to Sisters of Mercy

Sister Coral Hedley entered the Gunnedah Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy in 1959 and was faithful in her service until her death in Newcastle on 31 July 2026.

After years as an educator throughout the Catholic Diocese of Armidale, Sr Coral served with the Sisters of Mercy Mission to Papua New Guinea at Goroka, Koge and Neragima from 1966 to 1973.

Born with a sense of adventure, this part of Coral’s life journey gave her great joy as she worked with a mix of Sisters from other congregations, missionary priests and brothers.

Coral came into the world at Narrabri on 3 April 1937, one of seven children born to Kathleen and Herbert Hedley.

She grew up in Narrabri with her siblings Louise, Ron, Patricia, Peter, Anne and brother Francis (Frank), attending St Xavier’s School.

Many former students would remember Coral as Sr Felicitas, the name she received during her profession into the Sisters of Mercy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel, Gunnedah, on 28 January 1962. She later reverted to her baptismal name.

Sr Coral’s ministry as a primary education teacher included St Xavier’s School, Gunnedah, St Philomena’s School at Moree and Inverell’s Holy Trinity School.

Sr Coral Hedley. Photos: supplied.

After retiring from education, Sr Coral became a pastoral associate, serving in the Bingara and Inverell parishes.

She was very ‘hands-on’ in her work for the community serving on committees and other support groups, including the Inverell Women’s Refuge and the Anti-Violence Committee. She supported the establishment of the Inverell Community Men’s Shed and the Men’s Health Expos.

A caring and compassionate woman, Sr Coral was also involved in the Sanctuary Refugee Resettlement Program and the Summer Sun Youth Festival.

Sr Coral returned often to her mother convent at Gunnedah for special celebrations, including the handover of the historic Convent of Mercy buildings to the Catholic Diocese of Armidale in 2009 and the centenary of the Sisters of Mercy Chapel in 2025.

After years of service to the wider community, Sr Coral retired to Newcastle to be closer to other members of the Mercy congregation, who supported her during the last 18 months of her life as failing health took its toll.

Sr Coral’s farewell mass was held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Merewether, on 10 August, with her ashes interred in the family plot at the Old Narrabri Cemetery on 4 September.

Family and friends were welcomed by Sr Coral’s only surviving sibling Frank before a meaningful selection of prayers and hymns led by Sr Helen Baguley.

The interment was attended by Sr Regina McInerney, the only Sister of Mercy remaining in Gunnedah.