Teaching young children was Sister Patricia Ann’s great joy …

Sister Patricia Ann O’Brien, SCSister 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