Dominican Sister of Peace Patricius Henderson, OP (103), a native of Omaha, Nebraska, died on November 23, 2025, at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, Kentucky.
Born in 1922, Sister Patricius was one of six children of Matilda Cloudt and Charles Henderson. She entered the Congregation in 1942, professed her first vows in 1943, and made final profession in 1946.
Sister Patricius began her ministry as a teacher in Indiana before serving as a nurse aide in Nebraska. She later earned her American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification from the Central Kansas School of Radiologic Technology and went on to minister as an X-ray technician for more than 25 years in Nebraska, Kentucky, and Illinois.
In 1987, she began offering community service and prayer throughout Nebraska. She moved to the Motherhouse in St. Catharine, Kentucky, in 1998, continuing her ministry of prayer and service before returning once more to Nebraska in 2001. She again made her home in St. Catharine in 2008 and remained in the Motherhouse until moving to Sansbury Care Center in 2022, where she ministered through her faithful prayer and quiet presence until her death.
In 1987, Sister Patricius shared a reflection that spoke to the integrity of her life and ministry:
“If I could change one thing in this world, it would be to make it less violent and more just. It is the injustice in the world that causes people to rebel and become violent. If we could just treat each other with more compassion.” Her words remain as timely and compelling today as they were then.
Sister Patricius was preceded in death by her parents and siblings and is survived by several nieces and nephews.
The wake and sharing of memories were held on Wednesday, December 3, at the Sansbury Care Center Chapel. The funeral was celebrated on Thursday, December 4, at the same chapel, followed by burial in the St. Catharine Motherhouse cemetery.
Memorial gifts in Sister Patricius’ memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.
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I will always remember my mother’s praise of Sr.Patricius’ presence to the elderly in South Omaha ( St. Mary’s) in the years before she moved back to Kentucky for the last time. I think part of it arose from her incredible energy even as she was aging.