Sister Pat was one in a million and will be greatly missed by all; we are better for having her in our lives.
Sister Patricia McGowan (Sister Kathleen Mary) was born June 5, 1939, in Manhattan, one of four children —three daughters and one son— of Cormac and Anna Gannon McGowan. Patricia attended Ascension Elementary and Cathedral High Schools, both in Manhattan, before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1956.
Sister Patricia received a BA in Art from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx, an MSED in Education from Hunter College, an MA in Journalism from New York University, and a MED and EDD in Higher and Adult Education from Teachers College of Columbia University.
Sister Patricia’s sixty years of ministry have been in the field of education. She spent twenty-one years in elementary education serving at Saint Brigid and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, both in Manhattan; Our Lady of Mercy, Port Chester; and Our Lady of Angels, Bronx. After a year of full-time studies, Sister Patricia began thirty-eight years of ministry at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. During these years, she was a teacher of Journalism, Professor, and Chairperson in the Department of Communications and directed the internship program for the Department.
A well-loved member of the CMSV faculty, she was awarded the Sears-Roebuck Foundation Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award by the College in 1991. Her positive influence on faculty and hundreds of students for whom she was mentor is revealed in the comment, “Sister Pat was one in a million and will be greatly missed by all; we are better for having her in our lives.” Her influence also inspired some CMSV staff and former students to ask her to sponsor them in the Associate Program of the Sisters of Charity.
Sister Patricia always found the time to offer her gifts and knowledge within the Congregation. For many years, she served on the Advisory Board of Vision, the Congregation’s quarterly publication. Her honed interviewing skills enabled her to gather facts and “flavor” to write an inspiring impression of a person’s well-lived life. Her research and description of selected aspects of the last twenty years (1997–2017) of the Congregation’s two hundred years of ministry can be found in chapters of a soon-to-be-released history.
Sister Patricia’s generous nature made her a committed volunteer at the Information desk of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers, and at a safe house for women recently released from the net of human trafficking. An outstanding English teacher, she helped several of the residents pass their GED exam to move on to a brighter future. And she always had time for family, whether nearby or at a distance; in-laws, nieces, nephews, and the next generation knew her love and concern.
For relaxation, Sister Patricia could be found reading or doing crossword puzzles. She had a witty sense of humor that she often used to describe situations for the amusement of others. A passion balanced this ability, insisting that the “right” be respected in any circumstance.
Rest in peace, Sister Patricia McGowan, Professor Emerita. We rejoice as you meet your God “face to face” and enjoy eternal happiness with the One whom you served so well as a Sister of Charity for sixty-four years.
Date of Death
April 19, 2020
Age
80
Prayer Service and Memorial Mass
to be held at a later date
Burial
St. Joseph Cemetery, Yonkers, NY
Missions
Archdiocese of New York
- St. Brigid, Manhattan
1959, Teacher, Gr. 4 - Our Lady of Mercy, Port Chester
1959–65, Teacher, Gr. 2, 3 - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Manhattan
1965–71, Teacher, Gr. 5–8 - Our Lady of Angels, Bronx
1971–80, Teacher, 7–8 - College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx
1981–87, Professor, Journalism
1987–96, Professor, Chairperson, Comm. Dept.
1996–2009, Professor, Comm. Dept.
2009–19, Professor, Part-time
Well remembered, well loved. God speed.,
Sr. Pat was a selfless and beautiful human being both inside and out. I had the privilege of having her as a professor numerous times and am eternally grateful for the knowledge and care she bestowed upon me. Sr. Pat was truly an angel on earth and will forever be one in heaven.
Sr. Patricia. You will never be forgotten. You were my 7th grade English teacher at Our Lady of Angels in the Bronx. I graduated in 1976. I still know all my prepositions in alphabetical order . You were one of the best teachers I ever had. Thank you so much for being a part of my life. Rest In Peace with the Angels.
Patricia Mennona
Always with a beautiful smile
Rip Sr pat
I’ve never met Sister as a student on any level of education…My only contact with the Sisters of this Catholic Religious Community, was as a pet at St Vincent De Paul Hospital in NYC, many, many years ago…Those Sisters were compassionate and dedicated, helping to know God more so…
Sister Patsy as we called her was a warm, generous, caring woman who enriched the lives of all who knew her. Her love of fun and sense of humor endeared her to us here in Houston. We appreciated her sister Kay for sharing Patsy with us. I know Patsy is in God’s presence and is joyous and free from pain now. We love and miss her. RIP Sister Patsy.
I remember her well. She taught 7th grade at Our Lady of Mercy. Not only was she a teacher, but she was a positive influence on my life.
Sister Pat was a ray of sunshine.
Her wit, compassion, vision and laughter will be missed by all.
RIP.
So much life, such a wit with a wicked sense of humor! You touched so many lives for the better, Red Hat Lady!
There are people who, in addition to their skills, talents, and other gifts, have the ability to relate in the most deeply human way. It’s a way which is always there for you while leaving you comfortably convinced that she will never intrude…indeed can’t intrude. When you run in to her, you’re happy you did. When she leaves, you look forward to the next time. And she spread that wherever she went and with whom she ever met. You are missed, Pat, but you left a better place.
Sr. Kathleen (Patricia) was not only my teacher 55 years ago but a guiding light, friend, role model and an oasis of comfort in a life of storms. She defined the words of charity and grace.
Thank you sister for your understanding, comfort and dignity. As long as I live you have been are and will be in my prayers
and an eternity in my heart! You leave not only a void in my life but in humanity as well!
May God and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel bless you!