February 10, 1936 – February 28, 2023
Sister Patricia Marie Dunn, age 86, died on February 28, 2023, at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI.
Sister Patricia Marie, born on February 10, 1936, in Stevens Point, WI, was named and baptized Patricia Maureen. She is the oldest of seven children (five brothers and one sister) born to James and Teckla (Woyak) Dunn.
Patricia Maureen entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in Milwaukee, WI on August 28, 1952, and entered the novitiate on August 12, 1953 (Milwaukee, WI), receiving the name Sister M. Philip, which she changed to Sister Patricia Marie on June 1, 1970. She professed First Vows on August 12, 1955 and her Final Vows on August 12, 1960, both in Milwaukee, WI. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee on August 12, 1977 in Milwaukee, WI; her Golden Jubilee on July 21, 2002 and her 60th Jubilee on August 9, 2015, both in Oshkosh, WI.
As a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, Sister Patricia Marie received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Mount Mary College, Milwaukee, WI in 1972. She served in the following ministries as a teacher: St. Patrick’s School, Estherville, IA (1955-1957); St. Cecilia’s School, Thiensville, WI (1957-1958); Mother of Perpetual Help School, Milwaukee, WI (1958-1962); St. Mary’s School, Denville, NJ (1962-1964 and 1966-1971); St. Mary’s School, Bakerville, WI (1964-1966); Our Lady of Good Hope School, Milwaukee, WI (1971-1974); Harambee Community School, Milwaukee, WI (1974-1975); St. Leo School, Milwaukee, WI (1977-1983); St. Albert’s School, Milwaukee, WI (1983-1991); and St. Nicholas School, Milwaukee, WI (1991-1992). Sister Patricia Marie served as a missionary in Luperon and La Isabella, Dominican Republic from 1994-1997 where she set up a pre-school. In 1998, Sister Patricia ministered as a member of the Care Team Program and a catechist at St. Raphael’s Parish, Oshkosh, WI. In 2003 she moved to Wautoma, WI and served as a catechist at St. Joseph’s Parish ministering to migrant children in the area and to elderly in their homes as needed. In December 2009, Sister Patricia retired to SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI, where she began a monthly soup tasting afternoon. All the sisters looked forward to seeing what new soups she would be creating.
Sister Patricia Marie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her five brothers (James Dunn, William Dunn, David Dunn, Larry Dunn, and Dennis Dunn) and one sister (Louise Ann Graef). Homecoming was at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2023, at SSM Franciscan Courts, Oshkosh, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on March 7, 2023, at SSM Franciscan Courts with Rev. William Hower officiating. Burial took place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Oshkosh, WI.
May Sr. Patricia Marie rest in the loving arms of her Creator.
Submitted by Sr. Sherri Marie Kuhn