Sister Patricia’s down-to-earth approach to life and her unique gifts of empathy and respect were natural outlets for the charism of Charity…
Sister Patricia Ann Brennan, formerly Sister Maureen Margaret, was born March 9, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York. She was one of three children, two daughters and a son, of Robert and Margaret Jennings Brennan. Pat attended Saint Andrew Avellino Elementary School in Flushing and Saint Agnes Academic High School in College Point, both in Queens, New York. She worked for three years before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1956.
Sister Maureen Margaret earned a BA in History from the College of Mount Saint Vincent and an MSW in Social Work from Fordham University, both in the Bronx. She was certified by New York State as a Social Worker, a Practitioner, and a Supervisor of School Social Workers.
Sister Patricia served 11 years in elementary education ministry at Saint Stephen, Manhattan, Saint Agatha, Nanuet, Saint Barnabas and Saint Athanasius, both in the Bronx. She also served for two years as a childcare worker at Saint Agatha and three years in parish ministry at Saint Mary, Grand Street in Manhattan, before undertaking two years of full-time study in social work.
Sister Patricia’s thirty-two years of social work were devoted to the New York Foundling, Manhattan, Saint Augustine School, the Bronx, Queen’s Daughters Day Care, Yonkers, Grace Institute, Manhattan, and Fox House, also in Manhattan. After retiring from full-time ministry in 2009, Sister Patricia continued at Fox House as volunteer for two years and then devoted the next seven years as a coordinator in a safe house for victims of human trafficking. In 2018, she joined the community of retired Sisters of Charity at Kittay Senior Apartments in the Bronx. It is here she died on September 5, 2021, in the 65th year of commitment as a Sister of Charity of New York.
Sister Patricia had a strong loving bond with her family, particularly her nieces and nephews, and was always present for events, large and small, in their lives. They knew where to turn for sage advice or to tell their latest news. Aunt Pat stories will continue to be remembered and enjoyed by the family.
Sister Patricia often shared that the most memorable event of her years in ministry, an event she named a “grace,” was her presence at the birth of a baby boy. Through the years she and the boy’s family have stayed in touch, taking cross-country trips to visit each other. Sister Patricia’s down-to-earth approach to life and her unique gifts of empathy and respect were natural outlets for the charism of Charity, making a difference in the lives of hundreds of children and their families.
Sister Patricia, you combined a distinctive flair for life with living contemplatively. Your prayerful spirituality put the name of Jesus on your lips and in your heart. The Joy of your life now meets you with a warm and welcoming embrace. Rejoice in the house of our God!
Date of Death
September 5, 2021
Age
87
Wake
Monday, September 13, 2021, 8–9 a.m
Flynn Memorial Home
1652 Central Park Avenue
Yonkers, NY 10710
Prayer Service at 8:30 a.m.
Live Streaming begins at 8:30 a.m.: https://venue.streamspot.com/d286a8ab
Funeral
Monday, September 13, 2021, 9:45 a.m
St. Margaret of Cortona Church
6000 Riverdale Avenue
Bronx, NY 10471
Live Streaming begins at 9:45 a.m.: https://venue.streamspot.com/217aa3db
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Stephen, Manhattan
1959–62, Teacher - St. Agatha, Nanuet
1962–64, Teacher
1964–66, Child Care Worker - St. Barnabas, Bronx
1966-67, Teacher - St. Mary Parish, Manhattan
1967–70, Parish Worker - St. Athanasius, Bronx
1970–75, Teacher - New York Foundling, Manhattan
1977–83, Social Worker - St. Augustine, Bronx
1983–85, Social Worker - Queen Daughters Day Care, Yonkers
1985–89, Social Worker - Fox House/Grace Institute, Manhattan
1989–99, Social Worker/Counselor - Fox House, Manhattan
1999–2009, Social Worker/Counselor
2009–11, Volunteer - Anti-Trafficking Safe House
2011–18, Volunteer
Rip. Sister worked hard.
With heart
She was a blessing
Sr. Patricia was a gem. I have know her for some 50 years, finding her an empathic and ever learning person. Never just being satisfied with the way things were but always striving to make a better world and a caring person to those in need.
Great lady! May she Rest In Peace!
Sister Pat was a valued social work colleague at the New York Foundling Health Related Facility. She was a fierce advocate for the disabled children and their families and worked for their best outcomes. Pat made enormous contributions to the development of what is now the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center.
May she Rest In Peace. Godspeed.
Sr. Pat Brennan was a great lady. She deserves her reward for a life well lived. Children of NYC are in her debt. When I observed Pat working with the kids at Fox House it made me realize “Sisters can be mothers.” Pat was a delight at our golf events and her personality helped make each a fun event. What a great smile.
I feel honored to call her my cousin and our family always admired her commitment to the world not just New York. Prayers to her family
I just now saw the post regarding the death of a beloved sister and Sister of Charity, Sister Maureen Margaret, Patricia Ann Brennan. For years I tried inquiring of her whereabouts but I just couldn’t remember her religious name. I thought it was Sister Margaret Mary but of course I was incorrect so I had aborted my search only to come to the here and now. I was in third grade in St. Stephen’s Elementary School in 1960 with such a beautiful soul as Sr. Maureen Margaret as my teacher. I remember her as kind, caring and funny. She use to pretend to spank me in a separate room by rolling a newspaper and hitting it on a desk and having me make noises to confirm the spanking. How very special she was. i now truly regret giving-up my search for her but I know she is in splendor adorning her crown of salvation. Her mission was to teach but she brought so much love and care in her classroom to guide her. There can be no doubt she was filled with the Holy Spirit walking in the path of Christ the Teacher to bring glory and honor to our Father in Heaven. Thank, thank you, thank you Sister Patricia Ann “Maureen Margaret” Brennan for teaching the most important lessons in life to your students which love, care, kindness, service and mercy. Always with my deepest respect for the gift of you, Michael Valentino Gili (Mizzi-Gili).
Thank you for your beautiful message. We have shared it with Sister Pat’s closest friends. Loved reading your story about Sr. Pat’s pretend spanking. Classic Sr. Pat!
God bless you. Peace.
Thank you for your reply. I’m laughing and crying a little at your message knowing how comedic Sister Pat could be. With prayers of thanksgiving to the Creator of all, I thank Him for creating such a beautiful lady and of course sharing her life with me, Michael Valentino Gili.
Hi Michael,
Thank you so much for posting about Sr. Pat. I am her niece and godchild. We miss her every day and love hearing memories from people who had the pleasure of meeting her, especially the children she worked with. I am sure she carried you with her as well, she always had a large collage she kept in her home with all the children she met and worked with through the years.
Be well,
Cathy
We loved Pat. She will always have a chair in the circle of our Women’s Liturgy.