Sister Patricia Thomas O’Connor (Marie), 99, beloved member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died at Bethany Health Care Center on December 25, 2020. A native of Holyoke, Mass., she was the daughter of Thomas and Bridget (Murphy) O’Connor.
Sister entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield from Sacred Heart Parish, Holyoke in 1939. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke and earned an A.B. degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee.
Sister taught in the Diocese of Springfield at St. Joseph School, North Adams; Holy Trinity School Greenfield; Holy Name School, Holy Family School and Our Lady of Hope School, Springfield and St. Joseph School and St. Mark School, Pittsfield, and in the Diocese of Worcester at St. Peter School and St. Ann School, Worcester. She was a member of the Communications Department of Mercy Hospital, Springfield for over twenty years.
In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Patricia Thomas is survived by her sister Nora McAndrew and several generations of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and a dear goddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Thomas.
Services for Sr. Patricia Thomas will follow Covid protocols with burial at Mont Marie Cemetery in Holyoke and a memorial Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church in Holyoke.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.