It is with sadness that the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie announce the death of Sister Patricia McNamara on October 12, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, North Bay, ON.
Sister Pat (Patricia Mary) was born in Sturgeon Falls, the second of four children, three boys and one girl born to, Lila (Cull) and Hugh John (Joe) McNamara. Sister Patricia is predeceased by her parents, and her sibling Harold (Hal). She is survived by her brothers; Gerald (Rosa) and Mervyn (Diana), her sister-in-law, Patricia, many nieces and nephews and her devoted cousin, Sister Shirley McNamara. She grew up in Falconbridge and attended Falconbridge Public School, grades 1-10. Sports and athletics were a big part of her school years. Patricia participated in hockey, baseball, and track and field with enthusiasm and success.
Pat was introduced to the Sisters of St. Joseph when she attended St. Joseph’s College, North Bay for grades 11 and 12. Sister Pat entered the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, on February 6, 1950, from her home parish of St. John the Evangelist, Garson, ON. Her chosen name was Sister M. Marguerite. Sister Pat (Marguerite) began her teaching career at St. Ignatius School, Wikwemikong in 1951, followed by teaching assignments at St. Joseph’s School, Blind River. In September 1955, she was one of three Sister pioneers to open a convent in Wawa, Ontario. As the school was yet to be built, Sister Pat’s classroom was set up in the convent and it was here that she taught for the next three years. In 1958, the pioneer ‘call’ beckoned once again and Pat moved to Elliot Lake where she, with five Sister companions, lived in a trailer and taught school at Our Lady of Fatima School and Our Lady of Lourdes School. Every summer throughout the early years of Pat’s teaching career found her engaged in teacher education studies and training. She then went on to complete the Principals’ Course and graduated with a BA degree from Laurentian University.
Sister Pat served as principal of Our Lady of Lourdes School in Elliot Lake from 1960-1966, at St. Aloysius School, Sudbury from 1966-1977 and finally at St. Peter’s School, in Wahnapitae, ON for nineteen years. In 1995, having dedicated forty-four years serving in elementary schools across the North, Sister Pat retired to assist with the care of her dear mother, Lila. Pat enjoyed every minute of her life as a well -loved teacher, and respected principal and colleague. In 1998, Sister Patricia and her long-time colleague and friend, Sister Madeleine Rochon, moved to the newly built St. Joseph’s Residence, in Sudbury along with twenty-one other Sisters. Sister Pat returned to reside at the Motherhouse in 2010, where she has been a witness of kindness and presence to all who came in contact with her, especially the members of our Motherhouse staff.
The body of Sister Patricia will be received at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse at 2:00 p.m. on October 17, 2018. Evening prayer and visitation will be held in the Holy Family Chapel at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., October 18, 2018 in the Sacred Heart Chapel. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Bay, ON. May Sister Pat rest in peace.