Teaching young children was Sister Patricia Ann’s great joy …
Sister Patricia Ann O’Brien (Sister Andrew Marie), born March 17, 1934, in Manhattan, was the youngest of four children, one son and three daughters, of Andrew and Anne Westphalen O’Brien. Patricia Ann attended Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and Cathedral High School, both in Manhattan, before entering the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1952. She received her BA in History from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx, and an MA in Education (Reading Specialist) from Manhattan College, Bronx. She earned permanent New York State certification in elementary education.
Sister Patricia Ann spent her first forty years of ministry on every level of elementary education. She taught at Blessed Sacrament, Staten Island; Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Southampton; Saint Emeric, Manhattan; Saint Barnabas, Bronx; Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, Bronx; Saint Joseph, Florida, New York; and served as Principal of Saint Joseph, Yonkers.
In 1994, Sister Patricia Ann worked at The Elinor Martin Residence for Mother and Child in White Plains, New York. She later became Director of Personnel at the Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers, a position she held for nine years. In 2004, she became Administrator at Mount Saint Joseph, New Windsor, New York, coordinating activities at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In 2007, Sister Patricia retired where she was living at Seton Village, Nanuet, and volunteered her services wherever needed.
Teaching young children was Sister Patricia Ann’s great joy, and she understood the financial sacrifices parents make to give their children a Catholic School education. She appreciated working with other Sisters of Charity and members of the school staff, using her skill to strengthen the reading curriculum. Sister Patricia Ann’s passion for teaching, prayerfulness, and patience brought her much happiness and peace.
We rejoice with Sister Patricia Ann as she meets God face to face and enjoys eternal happiness with the One whom she served so well as a Sister of Charity. Rest in peace, Sister Patricia.
Date of Death
April 21, 2020
Age
86
Prayer Service and Memorial Mass
to be held at a later date.
Burial of cremains at Mount Saint
Vincent at a later date.
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- Blessed Sacrament, Staten Island
1955–61, Teacher, Gr. 1 - St. Emeric, Manhattan
1962–65, Gr. 1 - St. Barnabas, Bronx
1965–67, Teacher, Gr. 3, 5
1967–68, Reading Consultant, Gr. 4–8 - St. Joseph, Yonkers
1968–70, Principal - Nativity of Our Blessed Lady, Bronx
1971–81, Teacher, Rel., Gr. 6, Reading, Gr. 5–7, Lang. Arts, Gr. 7, 8 - St. Joseph, Florida, NY
1981–86, Teacher, Gr. 5–7, Lang. Arts, Reading, Rel.
1988–90, Teacher, Gr. 5, 6
1991–94, Teacher, Rel., Lang. Arts - Elinor Martin Residence, White Plains
1994, Resident Mother/Infant Care Prog. - Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers
1995–2004, Dir. Personnel - Mt. St. Joseph, New Windsor, NY
2004–07, Administrator - Volunteer Services, Nanuet
2007–19
Diocese of Rockville Centre
- Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, Southampton
1961–62, Teacher, Gr. 1
May you rest easy Aunt Patsy. I will miss you terribly, but know you are in a much better place. God love you and keep you. Love you. God Bless
She taught my children at St Joseph in Florida and always smiled and treated the children with respect. She was a favorite of my husbands too who bought her jugs of water every week. Even though we haven’t seen her in a long while she was never forgotten. RIP Sr Pat.
Sister Patricia taught my children at St.Josephs in Florida, NY. She was a loving, kind and outstanding person and teacher. You will be missed. RIP Sister Pat. ♥️
40 Years later I think of all of the St Josephs Sisters. We first met in the Bronx. Woodlawn actually, you and Sister Rosemary would always be in my building as I was a very young boy. We would be in the elevator together, a lot. What a surprise it was when I was in my new town far away from the Bronx I missed so much. The day I went to St Josephs and boom there you all were. My 5th-grade teacher. You were very kind and had a great influence on me and a delight to talk with. It was an honor to be a pallbearer for Sister Grace and its an honor to write this for you. God Bless and thank you for all your hard work. RIP Sister Patricia. ♥️
Sister Pat was a dear family friend. I will always remember her coming into my mother’s hair salon (Kathy’sHair Designers) many years ago and her smile would light up the salon. She was special! Sister Patricia would become a lifelong friend to my mother and our family and she will be forever remembered with love and fondness. I know you are smiling and resting easy in the loving hands of God. As you always said to us “ God Bless”
You taught my children at St. Joe’s, we were blessed to have you, Your patience and your smile will always be in our hearts.