Sister Patrice once said, “There is no question that my current ministry with the terminally ill and their loved ones is one of the greatest privileges, and simultaneously, one of the most humbling experiences of my life. God allows me first hand experiences through my hospice patients of what it is to face the end of one’s life with courage and grace, dignity and peace.”
Sister M. Patrice Murphy (Patricia) was born January 1, 1933 in Manhattan, the daughter of Patrick and Helen Sheridan Murphy. Patricia attended Saint Rose of Lima Elementary School and Elizabeth Seton High School, Yonkers, before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1950. Sister Patrice earned an RN diploma from Saint Vincent Hospital School of Nursing. She received a BS degree in Nursing and an MS degree in Medical-Surgery from Hunter College. She also received New York State certification as a Registered Nurse, Pastoral Associate in General Health Care, and a practitioner in the field of Family Therapy.
Sister Patrice spent forty-eight of her fifty-five years of active ministry in the field of nursing. She began as a student nurse at Saint Vincent Hospital School of Nursing, Manhattan, and moved through every aspect of nursing. At Saint Vincent Hospital, she ministered as a senior staff nurse, head nurse, Supervisor of Nursing Services; instructor in the School of Nursing, supervisor and instructor in Psychiatry, and Director of the School of Nursing. For ten years, Sister Patrice coordinated the Supportive Care Hospice Program of Saint Vincent Hospital and, from the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, was a pioneer in ministering to the needs and concerns of those dying from the illness. She was the recipient of several awards given in recognition of her leadership in this field. At Saint Vincent Hospital, Staten Island, Sister Patrice served as Nursing Supervisor and Assistant Director of Nursing, and instructor and Department Chair in the School of Nursing. In later years, Sister Patrice served as Director of Nursing Services at Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers, and then provided her skills and experience to the retirement community at Saint Patrick Villa, Nanuet. In 1989, Sister Patrice responded to the call of the Congregation for someone to direct the newly opened Department of Development and, for seven years, offered a different set of her skills to the Sisters of Charity. In her retirement, Sister Patrice moved to Mount Saint Vincent Convent in 2008 and then to Convent of Mary the Queen in 2013. With the closing of Mary, the Queen in 2015, Sister Patrice was in the first group of sisters to move to Schervier Nursing Care Center in the Bronx where she died April 18, 2019.
Sister Patrice once said, “There is no question that my current ministry with the terminally ill and their loved ones is one of the greatest privileges, and simultaneously, one of the most humbling experiences of my life. God allows me first hand experiences through my hospice patients of what it is to face the end of one’s life with courage and grace, dignity and peace.” And now, Sister Patrice, you have done so and stand before our loving God to be welcomed Home. Rest in eternal peace.
Date of Death
April 18, 2019
Age
86
Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
6301 Riverdale Avenue
Bronx, NY 10471
718.601.5370
Thursday, April 25, 2019
9:00 – 10:30 am
10:30 am – Memory Sharing
Mass of Christian Burial
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
11:00 am
Burial
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- Saint Vincent Hospital, Manhattan
1953 – 1960, Nursing - Saint Vincent Hospital, Richmond
1960 – 1970, Nursing / Instructor - Saint Vincent Hospital, Manhattan
1970 – 1975, Nursing / Instructor - Mary the Queen, Yonkers
1975 – 1977, Nursing - Saint Vincent Hospital, Manhattan
1977 – 1989, Nursing - Sisters of Charity Center, Bronx
1989 – 1996, Director of Development - Mary the Queen, Yonkers
1996 – 2000, Nursing
Such a Wonderful Dedicated Person
A True example of the Sisters of Charity
RIP Sister Patrice
Thank you, Marilyn. She was an inspiration to all of us.
Thank you for sharing this information about the life of this magnificent woman. I was so moved by all her great work and especially in caring for the dying and considering it such a privilege to do so. Sr. Patrice was a leader and a giant in the field of Nursing. My prayers are with her family and her dear friends, the Sisters of Charity.
We agree wholeheartedly, Jane. She truly was magnificent. Thank you.
I was saddened by the death of Sr. Patrice. She was my inspiration to become a Chaplain and I took a leave from nursing to do this in SVH Supportive Care Program. I so admired her and all of the Sisters at SVH for their dedication to service with people with AIDS at a time when so many health care workers were afraid to do so.
Thank you for your kind words. We are happy to know she served as an inspiration to you. We were all blessed by her ministry. Peace.
Having known Sister Pat through my aunt, Sister Margaret Sweeney, with whom she lived with for over thirty years, our family enjoyed many wonderful times with her. Sister Pat was a very wise and compassionate woman who was devoted to caring for our most vulnerable. On behalf of the Sweeney’s, please accept our deepest sympathy and prayers.
We thank you and the Sweeney family for your kind condolences. We’re certain Sr. Patrice had fond memories of your family. Peace.
So sorry to hear of Sr. Patrice’s passing. May she Rest In Peace.
Thank you, Maureen.
So sorry to hear about Sister Patrice passing It is with heavy hearts that the entire Sweeney family feels this lose.She was always a part of our family through the fun times and the difficult ones.She was a compassionate and caring person. She will be missed .
I was an early volunteer at St Vincent’s Hospital when Sr. Patrice was the director of the Supportive Care Program that was an integral program in the city in the mid 1980’s. She was a trendsetter with all her dedicated staff that extended love, compassion and support to all patients and their loved ones that were on their the end of life journey. As she stated. “a truly humbling experience.”
Sister Patrice cared for sick AIDS patients at a time when few would. She shared that experience with the New York Times, doubtlessly inspiring others to service. I never knew her personally but I am inspired by her gift. Rest in heavenly peace.
Though coming belatedly to this news, I wish to send my condolences to the Sisters of Charity community and all who knew Sister Patrice. I never had the opportunity to meet her, but I have read with admiration about her influential, inspiring, and profound work as part of my current research, and share in the sadness of this loss. May her memory be a blessing.
Thank you for your kind words.
So sorry to read the news about my cousin Patsy. I last saw her in 2014 when I visited NY from Ireland with my Mum & sister. My father Seamus Cosgrove is her first cousin. When we remember her we always remember her best friend Sr Margarita.