Posted May 01, 2018 in Obituaries

Nurse, educator and mentor

Sister Patricia McCaffrey (formerly Sister Ann Martin) lovingly cared for elderly and infirm Ursuline sisters 15 years in the community’s infirmary before moving on to serve 30 years at Ursuline College. To each of her ministries she brought professionalism, dedication, wisdom, and compassion. The capable, soft-spoken woman with the kind and gentle heart died April 30, her 69thbirthday, at Hospice of the Western Reserve’s Hospice House after having been diagnosed with cancer in March. Sister Pat was anticipating her 50thanniversary as an Ursuline in August.

Patricia Ann McCaffrey was born April 30, 1949, in Cleveland, the eldest of four children of Martin and Mary Ann (Ceccardi) McCaffrey.  The Villa Angela Academy graduate joined the Ursulines from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Wickliffe, in September 1967 and, given the religious name Ann Martin, professed final vows August 12, 1973. She earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and nursing from Ursuline College and St. John College-Ursuline College, respectively, a Master’s in Nursing from Kent State University, and a doctorate in education from Teachers College of Columbia University in New York.

Sister Patricia began her ministry career serving in the Ursulines’ infirmary while pursuing nursing studies. She assumed responsibility as the facility’s head nurse in 1982, was later named administrator and served in that capacity until 1988, when she joined the nursing faculty at Ursuline College. In 2004 she was appointed the College’s Vice President for Enrollment Management, a position she held until 2009, when she assumed responsibilities as Director of Academic Services and Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Infirmary residents found in Sister Pat a gentle and kind-hearted nurse dedicated to their care and comfort; likewise her students, who learned from their teacher and mentor both the art and the heart of nursing. Colleagues, too, found in her a dedicated and friendly partner in mission, eager to give her all for the success of any enterprise.

Sister Patricia is survived by three brothers: Thomas (Elizabeth), Michael (Catherine Nahas), and Daniel (Mary Lynn). She was preceded in death by her parents.

She will be remembered for her quiet and gentle demeanor and her dedication to family, community and service. She was a faith-filled woman, a committed religious, and a devoted sister, aunt and friend.  

Donations in Sister Patricia’s memory can be made to the Ursuline Sisters.