“This ministry certainly teaches me about healing, love, prayer, joy and suffering, and about the beauty of my brothers and sisters—images of God.”

Sister Patricia Lawlor (Sister Mary Philomena) was born November 17, 1929 in Manhattan, one of three children—two daughters and one son—of Richard and Sarah Hughes Lawlor. Pat attended Saint Rose of Lima School and Cathedral High School, and worked for one year before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1948. Sister Philomena received a BA in English from the College of Mount Saint Vincent, an MA in English from the Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, and an MA in Religious Studies from Manhattan College. She later earned credentials as a chaplain.

Sister Pat spent many years in the ministry of education on both the elementary and high school levels. She taught in Saint Lawrence Academy and Saint Paul School, both in Manhattan, and Saint Margaret of Cortona School, Bronx; the WIN Program of the NYC Board of Education, and was also the principal of Holy Name School in Manhattan. In addition, she taught in Holy Trinity High School, Shiremanstown, PA, and LaSalle Academy in Manhattan. Upon the sudden death of a very dear sister friend, Sister Pat felt called to the hospital ministry as a chaplain. After studying at the Calvary Hospital Program, Bronx, and doing her chaplaincy residence in Hartford, CT, Sister Pat worked with Saint Vincent Hospital Supportive Care Program from 1986 until her retirement in 2000. She continued in this work as a volunteer until 2006. In News Notes she was quoted as saying, “As a Sister of Charity and a Chaplain with the Supportive Care Program, it is my privilege to journey with the terminally ill and their loved ones as they attempt to live fully and prepare for death. This ministry certainly teaches me about healing, love, prayer, joy and suffering, and about the beauty of my brothers and sisters—images of God.”

In 2006, Sister Pat moved to Mount Saint Vincent Convent where she lived until 2014. She was among the first group to move to the Jewish Home Lifecare Assisted Living Program in 2014. In 2016 she moved to Cabrini Nursing Center in Dobbs Ferry. Those whom Sister Pat served as teacher and as chaplain will long remember her generosity and compassion.

We rejoice with Sister Pat as she is welcomed by our loving God whom she served so long and so well as a Sister of Charity. Rest in peace, dear Sister.

 

Date of Death
November 25, 2016

Age
87

Wake
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
2:00 – 6:30 pm
Prayer Service 4:30 pm

Mass of Resurrection
Mount Saint Vincent Convent
Assembly Room
Thursday, December 1, 2016
11:00 am

Burial
Saint Joseph Cemetery
Yonkers, NY

Missions

Archdiocese of New York

  • St. Lawrence Academy, Manhattan
    1951–53, Teacher, Gr. 2
  • St. Margaret of Cortona, Bronx
    1953–1960, Teacher, Gr. 5, 6
  • St. Paul, Manhattan
    1960–64, Teacher, Gr. 6, 8
  • Holy Name, Manhattan
    1967–71, Principal
  • LaSalle Academy, Manhattan
    1978–83, Teacher
  • St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center, Manhattan
    1986–2006, Chaplain
  • St. Vincent Hospital and Medical Center, Manhattan
    2006–07, Volunteer Chaplain

New York City

  • WIN Program, NYC Board of Education
    1971–77, Teacher

Pennsylvania

  • Trinity High School, Shiremanstown, PA
    1964–67, Teacher