Sister Mary Patrick Conlin

Sister Mary Patrick Conlin, RSM, age 91, passed away Jan. 16, 2013, in Roseburg, Ore. She was born April 17, 1921, in Williston, to Edward Conlin and Elizabeth Dolan and was given the baptismal name of Teresa Marie. She was one of six siblings.

Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Williston, by the Rev. Russell Kovash. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery, Williston.

An evening vigil will be held Friday at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

In 1945, she was received into the Community of Mercy at Mount Loretto, in Council Bluffs, Iowa and was given the name of Sister Mary Patrick. She made perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1950. She entered Mercy School of Nursing in Williston following graduation from Williston High School in 1939. Her formal education continued with a bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Louis Missouri University (1954), and a master's in business administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, (1964).

Sister Patrick's entire ministerial life was dedicated to health care. She served in Mercy hospitals located in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Denver, Colo.; Durango, Colo.; Red Bluff, Calif.; Devils Lake; and Roseburg, Ore. She loved children and excelled as a pediatric nurse, supervisor and instructor. She had a long, successful career in nursing, as well as CEO of Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, and to the first Administrator of Linus Oaks, in Roseburg. She retired in 1995 and has been doing pastoral ministry and outreach until recently when she fell seriously ill. She died Jan. 16, 2013, surrounded by loved ones.

Sister Patrick will forever be remembered for her love and compassion of all things beautiful especially Family, Friends, Art, Music and Nature. Her very special place was the ocean, especially the time she spent at Maryvilla in Lincoln City where she cherished the more contemplative life and deepening her spirituality. There she often lost herself in the joy of hosting family and friends, walking on the beach, and embracing the natural beauty of her surroundings. Her special family "fun and frolic" gathering meant so much to her. Her fine mind and keen sense of humor remained with her into her final days, to the joy and comfort of those attending her.

Sister Patrick is survived by her brothers, Edward Conlin, California and Minnesota, Frank Conlin, Arizona, and John Conlin, Williston; her sister, Mary Conlin Nyvold, Minnesota; and sister-in-law, Patricia Conlin, Williston.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Elizabeth; and her brother, Clem Conlin.

She was well loved and adored by her many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Friends may gather for the hour preceding the funeral at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Sister Patrick to Mercy Medical Foundation. (The Everson Funeral Home, Williston)