In Memoriam: Sister Patricia McGreevy, OSB
June 23, 1933 ─ December 27, 2025
After more than seventy years among us,
our sister, Patricia, now lives in God’s fullness.
A gifted and intelligent woman, Pat was in the
vanguard for women in the the Catholic Church.
As a young sister she helped shape
Vatican II renewal for Benedictine women,
opening the monastery to the world.
Much loved as a history teacher,
Pat made history herself when she
become a canon lawyer and served as the
first woman religious chancellor in two dioceses.
Whether as monastic council member, archivist,
consultant, or administrative assistant,
Pat was the ultimate professional,
serene and sophisticated, perceptive and witty.
We pray, O God, that you guide our decisions
and lead our way as you did for Pat.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen
Sister Patricia McGreevy, OSB, 92, died December 27, 2025, at Mount St. Benedict Monastery in Erie. She was born June 23, 1933, to Ina Marie (Russell) and Donald McGreevy in Oil City, Pennsylvania, one of twelve children. She was baptized at St. Stephen Church in Oil City.
Patricia entered the Benedictine Sisters of Erie at 16 years old and continued her education at St. Benedict Academy, graduating and making her first profession in 1951. She was given the name Sister Teresita as her name in religion and made her final profession on August 12, 1954. Sister Patricia began her teaching career at Sacred Heart School in Sharon followed by St. Michael in Fryburg, St. Benedict Academy in Erie, and Venango Christian High School in Oil City, before returning to St. Benedict Academy until 1976.
In 1962 Sister Patricia earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Mercyhurst College and in 1971, a master’s in American History from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. From 1976-1979 Sister Patricia served her community as the first community archivist, putting in place the systems necessary to create a working archive. She also served as Human Development Director for the community before returning to Washington for further studies. She studied Church Administration at Catholic University in 1980, becoming a candidate for her Licentiate in Canon Law (JCL) in 1981, one of only four women in the program. In 1991 she earned her JCL, becoming the first sister in the Diocese of Erie to earn that degree.
As one of few women who were canon lawyers at the time, Sister Patricia served in the Diocesan Tribunals of the Dioceses of Colorado Springs, Colorado (1981-1984), Erie (1991-1992), and Richmond, Virginia (1992-1995). In 1984 she was appointed Diocesan Chancellor in the newly erected Diocese of Colorado Springs, one of the first women religious to hold the position that had only recently opened to women and the laity. She served as chancellor until 1990. She later became the first woman religious to serve as chancellor in the Diocese of Dodge City, Kansas (1997-2002). 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 Pat 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.
Services will take place at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery: Monday, January 5, Visitation from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and a Service of Memories at 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, January 6, Visitation from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and a Mass of Christian Burial at 5:30 p.m. Interment will be Wednesday, January 7, at 8:15 a.m. at Trinity Cemetery. Brugger Funeral Homes and Crematory, Pine Avenue Branch, 845 East 38th Street, is handling arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, 6101 East Lake Road, Erie, Pennsylvania, 16511, click here.
