Sr. Mary Pat Denny, CSJ

Mary Patricia Denny was born in Hazel Park, Michigan on December 16, 1929, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Gebhart) Denny. She was a member of St. Rita Parish in Detroit at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth on July 1, 1947. She received the name Sister Mary Josaphat at her reception on January 3, 1948, but later returned to her Baptismal name. She pronounced first vows on January 3, 1950, and final vows on January 3, 1953.

Sister Pat earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Nazareth, and a Master of Arts degree in Reading from Eastern Michigan University. She was an elementary teacher for 34 years, teaching in several Michigan schools including St. Philip Neri in Detroit, St. Joseph in Watervliet, St. John in Davison, St. Augustine in Kalamazoo, and Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth, as well as at St. Francis School and Our Lady of Assumption School, both in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She then spent 20 years in Pastoral Ministry, working with older adults in Memphis, Tennessee. Following her return to Nazareth, she spent 10 years working as a Chaplain with Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice/Borgess Health Alliance, in Kalamazoo.

Sister Pat was especially appreciated at hospice. She was a listener and hospice ministry served her well. In her later days she shared that she enjoyed all her ministries wherever she was placed. She found the people of God in all cultures enriching. Sr. Mary Pat carried a deep love for her family and her community, the Sisters of St. Joseph. In her retirement years Sister Pat continued to serve by engaging in volunteer ministry at Borgess and at Nazareth Center.

During her life Sr. Mary Pat’s serene and faithful presence brought joy to many, especially our Sister Leorita Ryder and Jeanne Guidi, two long-time friends, who welcomed her home. May she now be united with God and all those she served with devotion, and who have gone before her.

May She Rest in Peace!