Sister Patricia McGreevy OSB dies Dec. 27 at age 92

Sister Patricia McGreevy, the first chancellor of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, died Dec. 27 at age 92 Mount St. Benedict Monastery in Erie, Pennsylvania. 

Funeral services will take place a Mount St. Benedict Monastery in Erie. Visitation will be held Jan. 5 from 2-5 p.m., followed by a Service of Memories at 7 p.m. On Jan. 6, visitation will take place from 2-5 p.m., followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 5:30 p.m. Interment will take place Jan. 7 at 8:15 a.m. at Trinity Cemetery. 

Sister Patricia was born June 23, 1933, in Oil City, Pennsylvania, one of 12 children born to Ina and Donald McGreevy. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Erie at 16 years old, making her first profession in 1951. She made her final profession on Aug. 12, 1954 and began her teaching career at Sacred Heart School. 

Sister Patricia earned a bachelor's degree in history from Mercyhurst College and a master's degree in American history from Catholic University of America in 1971. From 1976-1979, she served as the first archivist of her religious community. She continued her studies at Catholic University, becoming a candidate for a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1981. At the time, she was one of only four women in the program. She earned her JCL degree in 1991. 

In 1984, she was apointed the first chancellor of the Diocese of Colorado Springs, where she remained until 1990. She later served as chancellor in the Diocese of Dodge City, Kansas. 

Sister Patricia also served as a private canonical consultant to religious communities, helping to ensure that justice was served whenever canon law issues involving religious orders arose. Sister Patricia was a member of the Canon Law Society of America, the National Conference for Vicars of Religious, and the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators.

After she returned to Erie in 2010, Sister Patricia served as an Administrative Associate to the prioress until she retired.

In her Benedictine community, Sister Patricia served a total of twenty-two years on the monastic council, including the years of renewal following Vatican II. She represented her community as Chapter Delegate at the Federation of St. Scholastica renewal chapters. Sister Patricia also served as a formation director.

In addition to her parents, Sister Patricia was preceded in death by her siblings: Rita Lee, John McGreevy, Kathryn Eileen Hynes, Mary Gureczney, Donald McGreevy, Jr., Thomas McGreevy, Margaret Hinchman, Teresa McGreevy, Joseph McGreevy, and Sister Anne McGreevy, OSB.

She is survived by her Benedictine community, her sister, Florence McGreevy; and many nieces and nephews.