Sister Patricia Mary Woolheater CSJ

1945 - 2021

Woolheater, Sister Patricia Mary CSJ LATHAM Sister Patricia Mary Woolheater, CSJ (formerly Sister Martin Theresa), 76, died on July 23, 2021, at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany. Sister Patricia was born in New Hartford, N.Y. on March 27, 1945, the daughter of Martin Woolheater and Etheldreda Linder Woolheater. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for 57 years. After graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School in Utica, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 15, 1963, professed her first vows on August 6, 1964, and final vows on August 6, 1971. Sister Patricia earned a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in education from SUNY at Albany, and a master's degree in theology from St. Michaels in Winooski, Vt. Sister taught math and science in Albany and Syracuse diocesan high schools. During the seventies Sister Patricia began her forty-year ministry of pastoral service in parishes in the Albany, Syracuse and Nashville, Tenn. dioceses. In 2010, Sister Patricia earned her certification in clinical pastoral education and thereafter served in hospital chaplaincy. Sister Patricia excelled in her ministry in schools, parishes and hospitals, serving with her gifts of intelligence, organization, generosity and most of all compassion. In a new parish in rural Nashville, Tenn., Sister led her neglected parishioners back to the richness of their Catholic faith. As parish life director at St. Joseph's Church in Richfield Springs, Sister Patricia was admired and much loved for her pastoral and leadership skills. In her role as hospital chaplain, Sister was called upon not only to minister to the patients but also to assist in relationship-building, as the hospitals she served went through a process of merger. Sister Patricia also served her Sisters at St. Joseph's Provincial House on the Community Life team. After retiring in 2018, she participated in province governance and, with her artistic gifts, engaged her companions on the infirmary floors. Sister was faithful to deepening her spirituality through reading, retreats and prayer. She worked for social justice, including her service to rural parishes in Tennessee. Sister Patricia cherished relationships and was noted for her frequent calls, letters and cards. She loved travel, always inviting friends to join her well-planned adventures. Sister Patricia remained close to the family she loved so much, returning regularly to Utica for their gatherings and celebrations, and always when called by a special need. For this, her family expresses deep gratitude. Sister Patricia's memory is cherished by her siblings, Barbara (Robert) Kaelin, Nancy (Louis) Watts, Marion (Richard) Thomas, Linda Mierek, Rita Stefanski, and Thomas (Elizabeth) Woolheater; nieces and nephews; dear friends, Sister Mary Catherine Rayo, Karen Murphy and Colleen Gorman; and the Sisters of St. Joseph. A memorial service for Sister Patricia will be held at a later date. Contributions in Sister's memory may be made to The Office of Mission Advancement, St. Joseph's Provincial House, 385 Watervliet Shaker Rd., Latham, NY, 12110. For directions, information, to light a memory candle or order flowers for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.