A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Mary Patricia Murtagh, D.C., was celebrated November 29, 2018, at the Villa St. Michael Chapel, Emmitsburg, Md. Burial followed at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Emmitsburg. Sister Mary Patricia died November 23, 2018, at Villa St. Michael in Emmitsburg. She was 87 years of age and 66 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Albany, N.Y., on July 28, 1931, Sister Mary Patricia (baptized Ann Marie) was one of four children born to Patrick Joseph and Mary Catherine (Ahern) Murtagh.
A 1949 graduate of the Academy of the Holy Name, Albany, N.Y., Sister earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in 1959. She entered the Community of the Daughters of Charity in June 1952.
Following initial formation, Sister Mary Patricia first served as a Teacher at St. John’s School, Baltimore, Md., (1953 to 1955). While a student nurse, Sister served at Providence Hospital, Washington, D.C., (1955 to 1957). She then served in nursing at St. Vincent Hospital, Bridgeport, Conn., (1957 to 1958); St. Ann’s Infant Home, Hyattsville, Md., (1958 to 1962); Villa St. Michael, Emmitsburg, (1962 to 1974); Jenkins Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, (1974 to 1977); and, again, at Villa St. Michael, Emmitsburg, (1977 to 1985). Sister Mary Patricia ministered next as a Child Care Worker at St. Ann’s Infant Home, Hyattsville, (1985 to 1987), and then continued at the Home as a Nurse (1987 to 1994). Sister was missioned next to St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Jacksonville, Fla., where she served in Pastoral Care, (1994 to 1996). In 1996, Sister Mary Patricia return to Villa St. Michael where she served in various ministries, including the Ministry of Prayer, until her death.
Sister Mary Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Pat McCue; her twin sister, Edna McCullen. She is survived by her sister, Peggy (Frank) Kelly of Albany, N.Y.; nieces, nephews; and her Sisters in Community.