SINSINAWA — Sister Patricia “Patt” Smith, OP, died Sept. 2, 2020, at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa. Her religious name was Sister Charissa. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Sept. 15, followed by burial of the cremains in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Patt made her first religious profession as a Dominican Sister of Sinsinawa Nov. 28, 1950, and her perpetual profession Nov. 28, 1953. She taught for 21 years and served as religious education teacher for two years, provincial councillor for eight years, campus minister for three years, dean of students for two years, pastoral associate for nine years, and director of ministry development for four years. Sister Patt served in Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota, Texas and Arizona, as well as Bolivia and Italy.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Patt taught at Edgewood College, Madison, 1978-1979, and served the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Congregation as provincial councillor of the Southwest Province while living at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 1984-1988.
Sister Patt was born July 4, 1928, in Chicago, the daughter of Francis and Agnes (Courtney) Smith. Her parents; two sisters, Kathleen Smith and Joanne Edwards; and three brothers, Courtney Smith, Frank Smith, and Donald Smith, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces and nephews and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared 70 years of religious life.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or at www.sinsinawa.org/donate online.
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Patt are available online at www.sinsinawa.org/live
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