A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Patricia Coughlin, D.C., was celebrated March 7 at DePaul House Chapel, Albany, N.Y. Burial followed at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y. Sister Patricia died March 1, 2017, at St. Louise House in Albany. Sister was 87 years of age and 64 years vocation.
Born in Bridgeport, Conn., on March 17, 1929, Sister Patricia was the first of two children born to James and Margaret (Ryan) Coughlin. Sister Patricia joined the Community of Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Emmitsburg, Md., in December 1952.
Sister Patricia attended primary school at St. Anthony’s School in Bridgeport and graduated from secondary school at Lauralton Hall, Milford, Conn., in 1946. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn., in 1950; she completed an Effective Teacher Training Program (ETTP) at Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, Conn., in 1952; and she earned her Master of Arts Degree in English from St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y., in 1967.
Following initial formation, Sister Patricia served as Education Coordinator and Teacher at The Astor Home in Rhinebeck, N.Y., (1954) and at Nazareth Holy Childhood School in Boston, Mass., (1954 to 1957). Sister Patricia taught secondary school English and Literature at Immaculate Conception Academy, Washington, D.C., (1957 to 1960 and 1963 to 1967); Bishop England High School, Charleston, S.C., (1960 to 1963); Holy Cross Academy, Lynchburg, Va., (1967 to 1969); Bishop McCloskey High School, Albany, (1969 to 1971); and Seton High School, Endicott, N.Y., (1971 to 1975). Sister then ministered as Education Coordinator at the Kennedy Child Study Center in New York, N.Y., (1975 to 1978). She taught at St. Anthony’s School, Bronx, N.Y., (1978 to 1981); St Mark’s High School, Wilmington, Del., (1981 to 1991). At Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Bayside, N.Y., Sister Patricia served as part of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults program which instructs new Catholics in the faith (1991 to 1994). She next served at St. Vincent’s in Bridgeport, (1994 to 1999). Sister Patricia spent a year in China working in International English Programs (1999 to 2000). Upon her return, she became an Adjunct Professor at St Vincent’s College, Bridgeport. Sister was missioned again to The Astor Home, Rhinebeck, (2000 to 2002); then she served at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Emmitsburg, Md., (2002 to 2003); and DePaul Provincial House, Albany, (2003 to 2011). Always an avid learner, Sister Patricia participated in workshops at many colleges and universities throughout her career.
In 2011, Sister Patricia joined the Ministry of Prayer at St. Louise House and served there until the time of her death.
Sister Patricia is survived by her sister-in-law Barbara Coughlin, (Tom); her nieces: her nephew; grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and her Sisters in Community. Donations in her memory may be made to the Daughters of Charity, Province of St. Louise, 4330 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO.