Susan Hawley

Susan Hawley renamed Mary of the Conception (1622 – 1706) was an English born Sepulchrine prioress in Liège. The organisation continues at three communities in south-east England in 2021. New Hall School in Chelmsford credits Hawley with founding their school in 1642.

Life Hawley was born in Brentford in 1622. Her parents were Julie (born Hawkins) and Thomas Hawley. By the time she was nineteen she had decided not only on a religious life but that she wanted to move to Flanders to establish a convent. Frontispiece to "Brief relation of the order and institute of the English religious women at Liège" She joined forces with two other English-born nuns and they decided to create a new house in Liège.

Their first house was considered unsafe, it lacked privacy and Liège was unruly. The applied to the prince-bishop for help and they then moved but building work was required. This was funded by the sale of gifted silver and a bequest and by 1660 their new home was complete. The move was required because of the aftermath of the French Revolution and much planning had to be done. Not only was this a large move, but being a Catholic was illegal. New Hall School continues and one of its houses is named "Hawley".