A woman who founded an international religious congregation to care for the needy - described as "a true miracle of our times" by the Pope's ambassador - is to retire after more than 50 years' service.

As the founder and Prioress-General of the Benedictine Sisters of Grace and Compassion, based in Kemp Town, Brighton, Mother Mary Garson created a congregation of more than 200 sisters running more than 20 homes for the elderly on three continents.

Mary Garson served as an educational psychologist in the Women's Royal Air Force in the Second World War before becoming a Catholic and joining an action group in Brighton. She visited old people and was convinced more help was needed.

When she guessed £800 was needed to get a mortgage for a house, the group's chaplain revealed he had just received a donation for that amount.

In 1954, work started on the first home in Preston Park Avenue, Brighton. Two years later, the group was caring for 45 elderly people.

Today, the congregation runs five residential homes, 13 retirement flat schemes and a nursing unit in the UK as well as four foundations in India, three in Sri Lanka and a home in Kenya.

Shortly before her 82nd birthday, Mother Mary revisited Africa to open a new convent in Uganda.

The original house in Brighton, now known as St Mary's House, has been completely modernised and still offers accommodation to elderly and infirm people.

Mother Mary's successor is Sister Kathy Yeeles. Sister Kathy, 49, trained as a nurse and entered the order in 1978. She has managed its nursing unit at Heathfield and, for many years, ran its original residential house.

Sister Kathy said "It is a great honour to succeed Mother Mary. I feel overwhelmed but I know I can rely on everyone's support and prayers."