Sister Mary Patricia

Sister Mary Patricia                         ND 4499                      PDF Download

(formerly Sister Mary John Therese)

Patricia Ann PASEK

Christ the King Province, Chardon, Ohio, USA

Date and Place of Birth:                  June 5, 1930             Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession:        August 16, 1951        Cleveland, Ohio
Date and Place of Death:                June 2, 2019             Health Care Center, Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Funeral:            June 10, 2019            Provincial Center, Chardon, Ohio
Date and Place of Burial:               June 11, 2019            Resurrection Cemetery, Chardon

Patricia and her two younger brothers, children of Charles and Florence (Freibott) Pasek, treasured their family as a blessing and a source of great joy during their growing-up days of leisure, work and play. Faith and trust were nurtured by their parents’ strong faith and devotion to Our Lady. Usually the tallest in her class, Patricia was not happy about attending school until she entered Notre Dame Academy in 1944 with the hope of studying to become a nurse. This desire gradually changed as she learned about religious life and decided to enter the Sisters of Notre Dame. She became a postulant on September 8, 1948, and at investment received the name Sister Mary John Therese. Later, she returned to her baptismal name, Patricia.

Sister Mary Patricia earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry from Notre Dame College, South Euclid, Ohio,and a Master of Science Degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Sister’s ministry in education spanned more than twenty-five years. She was an excellent teacher, eager to impart her love and respect for the sciences, especially chemistry and physics. High school students soon came to realize that her commanding presence gave way to a gentle soul and a heart of gold.

Always ready to be of service, Sister Mary Patricia responded with characteristic generosity when asked to assume a role in initial formation. For fourteen years, sometimes concurrent with teaching assignments, Sister guided young women in all stages of formation. She had innate common sense, patience and kindness as she directed those in her care.

Sister Mary Patricia transitioned into a third area of ministry when missioned for service to her sisters in community. For several years she assisted at the Generalate in Rome. Here in Chardon, she coordinated activities for sisters residing in the Health Care Center and was curator of the province Heritage Room. She worked in the Advancement Office, reaching out with kindness to donors and friends. Recently, Sister was best known for her ministry as community photographer. For the past twelve years, she worked untiringly to capture the joys of both everyday life and special events. One always expected to see a camera and hear her say: “Big smile for all to see!”

Sister loved nature, enjoyed being outdoors, was a master gardener and gifted member of the choir. As a cancer survivor, she helped to organize the Relay for Life and was a comforting support to others, especially those coping with the impact of cancer. Sister Mary Patricia was a deeply prayerful woman who reflected the goodness of God to those she met each day. May Sister delight in the eternal embrace of our beloved Jesus.