Marlborough – Sister Patricia Richard (Sr. Christine Marie), a Sister of St. Anne, died in this city, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 at age 85 at Marie Esther Health Center.
Born in Newton, Sr. Patricia was the fourth of five children born to Arthur and Angelina (Gallant) Richard. She attended local schools and graduated from Our Lady Help of Christians High School. She earned a BA degree from Anna Maria College and an ME degree from Seattle University.
Sr. Patricia joined the Sisters of St. Anne in Quebec and pronounced vows in 1952. Over the next 60-plus years, she dedicated herself to education, administration, and community service in the United States, British Columbia, Canada and Haiti. She began her career as educator in Rhode Island schools staffed by the Sisters, as Dean of Students at Anna Maria College in Paxton; at Copper Valley School in Glen Allen, Alaska; at St. Ann School in Juneau, Alaska; and St. Patrick’s School in Victoria, British Columbia Canada.
In the late 1970s, she returned to the New England and taught at the former St. Anne Montessori School in Marlborough while serving in leadership for her local convent. Ever the educator, she returned one last time to Alaska and taught religious education in the missions of Chefornak/Nightmute. Following a sabbatical, Sr. Patricia accepted to go to Haiti and served that population in the area of Les Cayes, Haiti.
In her ‘’retirement’’ years, Sr. Patricia served her local community in a multitude of ways, with the same joy and commitment as she did all of her life.
Sr. Patricia was predeceased by her parents, her two brothers, and two sisters. In addition to her Sisters in community, she leaves a nephew and niece and friends who will grieve her death.
There will be a viewing hour Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 9 a.m., at 720 Boston Post Road East, in Marlborough. The funeral liturgy will follow at 10 a.m. in the convent chapel. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home (www.CollinsFuneral.com), 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough.
Donations in Sr. Patricia’s memory may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne or to a charity of your choice.
