Marlborough – Sister Patricia Callahan, SSA, 91, a Sister of St. Anne died April 1 at Alliance Health at Marie Esther in Marlborough, following a decline in health.
Born in Albany, New York, the daughter of the late Raymond and Maria (Carrol) Callahan. Sister Pat attended elementary and secondary school levels at St. Anne Academy in Lachine, Canada and at St. Angela’s Boarding School in Montreal Canada.
Educated by the Sisters of St. Anne, marked by their commitment to God and church, she joined them in 1952 and pronounced vows in 1954. This year, within the next weeks, she would have celebrated her 70th anniversary of vowed religious life.
Her years of active service in education, administration, parish ministry and social concerns projects, spanning two countries and many states. Sister Pat earned advanced degrees: Bachelor’s degree in education from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA, B. ED from Villanova University in PA and an MA degree in Education from the University of Montreal in Montreal, QC. She also held Massachusetts Certification in Special Education.
All of Sister Pat’s life events were marked by her total commitment, warm and welcoming personality, and dedication. As an educator at the elementary, middle school and secondary level, Sister taught in New York state at Caughnawaga Indian Day Government School and at St. Regis Indian Day School and at Notre Dame School in Central Falls, RI.
As Catholic schools closed and Sisters chose other avenues of service, Sister Pat joined them.
Throughout the 80s, she did urban ministry in Gary, Indiana, served as a pastoral assistant in Gassaway, West Virginia and in Peterstown, West Virginia. Before retirement, she spent several years as Day Program Director at St. Francis House in Boston and in service to the formerly homeless in Dorchester.
Service to the Congregation always found time and space on her full agenda. After retiring from a more active schedule, she became part of the coordinating team for Associates. Her helping hands left loving fingerprints on this program and any others of which she was a part. She also remained an active member of the Social Concerns Committee – stating a belief, sharing a willingness to visibly speak for those who cannot, walking in support of Walk for Hunger for over 20 years and inviting others to do the same.
Sister Pat Callahan will be grieved and missed by many, especially her loving sister, Moira Mennucci and her long-time close friend, Sister Patricia Bassett, SSA and all her family of the Sisters of St. Anne. Her extended family of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, colleagues, staff at Alliance Health and friends will join in grief at this loss.
Funeral Services for Sister Pat will be held on Friday, April 5th in St. Anne Chapel at Alliance at 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough. Visitation will be held from 9:15 – 9:45 AM followed by Mass at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Marlborough.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Collins Funeral Home, 378 Lincoln Street, Marlborough.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to the Sisters of St. Anne Retirement Fund, 720 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA 01752, or to a charity of your choice.
