Dominican Sister of Peace Patricia (Agnese) Gavaghan, OP (83), died on December 12, 2021, at Mohun Health Care Center in Columbus, OH.
Sister Pat, one of two siblings, was born in 1938 in New York City to Catherine Crehan and Patrick Gavaghan. Her early life was marked by loss, as her older sister died before Sister Pat was born, and her father died when she was only five weeks old. Sister Pat valued the close relationship she had with her mother, who was a woman of joy and a special role model.
Sister Pat was a student at our Saint Vincent Ferrer Grade School and was inspired by the joy she saw in her teachers. She graduated from Thorpe Secretarial School, then entered the Congregation in 1957, made first profession in 1959, and took her final vows in 1964. She cared for her Sisters and for God’s people for 62 years.
Sister Pat’s special ministry was molding God’s gifts into delicious meals. She began her ministry as a cook at the St. Joseph Priory in Somerset, Ohio. She went on to cook and serve at a number of schools and convents in Connecticut and New York.
While serving at St. Andrew Convent in Flushing, NY, Sister Pat stepped into the role of Parish Minister. She enjoyed “bringing the Eucharist to the residents of the Bridgeview Nursing Home, praying with the residents and listening to them,” sharing spiritual food with those she served. She was also patient and helpful with the residents, completing shopping and other errands for those residents when needed.
Sr. Pat was known for her gentle sense of humor, which was an important asset when she moved to Columbus to serve as a Driver for the Motherhouse Sisters. She also served the Congregation in the Supply department at the Mohun Health Care Center before retiring to a ministry of prayer and service at the Columbus Motherhouse. Sr. Patricia’s final ministry of prayer and presence at Mohun Health Care began in 2016.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Catherine Crehan Gavaghan, and her sister, Anna Marie Gavaghan.
A Vigil of Remembrance Service and wake was held on December 20, 2021, at the Columbus Motherhouse. The funeral liturgy, also at the Columbus Motherhouse took place on December 21, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery in Columbus, OH.
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Memorial gifts in Sr. Pat Gavaghan’s memory may be also be sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.