SPRINGFIELD – Sister Patricia Johnson, 87, formerly Sister David Robert, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, died in Baystate Medical Center on Jan. 28.
A native of Holyoke, she was born Dec. 15, 1935, the daughter of Howard and Ethel (Waddington) Johnson.
Sister Patricia entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Blessed Sacrament Parish, Holyoke, in 1954. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School, Holyoke. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Our Lady of the Elms, Chicopee, and a master’s degree from Worcester State College.
She taught in the Diocese of Worcester at Sacred Heart Academy, Worcester Central Catholic Middle School and St. Peter-Marian Central Catholic High School, all in Worcester. She also taught at St. Francis of Assisi School in Hillsgrove, Rhode Island.
She served as secretary to the president of the Sisters of St. Joseph and as a secretary in the Chancery of the Worcester diocese. After her work in the Mont Marie communications office, she was secretary and office manager for the Bureau of Exceptional Children and Adults in Holyoke.
Sister Patricia was predeceased by her brothers, Howard Johnson and John Johnson (Barbara), and a sister, Marilyn Garvey-Morgan (Joseph). In addition to her Sisters in community, Sister Patricia is survived by her brothers Donald (Rosemary) of Holyoke, and David in Albany, New York, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and great nieces and great nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA. 01104.