It is with deep sorrow that we mark the untimely passing of Madeline Thompson, 16, a much-loved student from St. Augustine’s College who tragically lost her life while abroad in Panama. The St. Joseph’s Parish Council and its Pastoral Team announced the news, underlining how this radiant young woman’s spirit touched everyone she met.
Madeline had just celebrated her 16th birthday on September 26, a milestone she shared with friends, family, classmates and parish community members alike. Her life was marked not by self-centred pursuits but by a deep generosity: every Saturday she served at the parish’s soup kitchen, offering time, kindness and love to those in need. In her, people saw the quiet reflection of Christ’s compassion.
In the parish’s message of condolence, they wrote: “We join her parents, Jerome and Shenique Thompson, her loved ones, and the entire St. Augustine’s College community in mourning this heartbreaking loss. As a parish, we hold them all in our prayers, asking God to surround them with His peace, strength, and consolation during this time of deep sorrow.”
Though Madeline’s life was far too short, at just sixteen she left a lasting imprint of love, faith and self-sacrifice. At school she was known not simply for her academic presence but for the gentle spirit that made others feel seen and cared for. Outside classes, she was already stepping into service—never waiting for recognition, just quietly giving.
The news of her passing while in Panama has sent shockwaves through both her school community and her parish family. People are reaching out—students from St. Augustines, volunteers from the soup kitchen, parishioners—all remembering her laugh, her sincerity, the way she asked, “how can I help?” instead of needing help herself. The grief is genuine, but so too is the gratitude for having known her.
Now, as the community gathers in prayer and reflection, there’s a shared hope that Madeline’s legacy will continue to inspire. Not only will she be remembered in memorials and mass intentions, but in how her example encourages others to give themselves in service, to hold their neighbour’s need and to live faith with action. Her memory will live on in her family, her friends, her classmates, and everyone she touched.
May she rest in eternal peace. And may the deep sorrow of this loss be met with the warmth of a community that holds her, and her family, in love.