Sister Patricia Ann Seaman, CSJ

We celebrate the life of Patricia Ann Seaman, a Sister of St. Joseph for almost seventy one years. Pat was born in Brooklyn to Florence and John and attended St. Francis of Assisi elementary school and St. Francis Xavier Academy. After high school Pat entered the congregation and taught elementary school at St. Paschal Babylon, St. Clare’s, Immaculate Conception in Brooklyn and Holy Name in Valley Stream. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from St. John’s University and a Master’s in Theology from Catholic University.  After teaching Religion at The Mary LouisAcademy, Pat began her twenty three year ministry as Principal of St. Rita’s in Long Island City.

In this season of Epiphany, Jesus is revealed to the world. He gathered his disciples who followed him as he compassionately reached out to those in need, excluding no one, healing the sick and calming the fearful. Pat was that same welcoming and calming presence throughout all of her ministries, including her eleven years here at Maria Regina. Anyone who entered this building would more than likely be welcomed by Pat in the hallway or have a door opened with her handy device. She entered room after room with her warm smile to check in and see how a resident was doing, especially those recently arrived. A listener, a calming, reassuring presence in the gift shop or wherever she was, It doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to envision the impact her life has had on the thousands of children, parents and colleagues in her time in teaching and as the Principal of St. Rita’s.

We are here to celebrate Pat and the gifts she shared so generously with her loving family, countless families and colleagues, our sisters and the residents here at Maria Regina. Pat’s great grandniece, Julia wrote a poem that expresses how many of us have felt in Pat’s presence:

“Aunt Pat, I love so.
Your smile is like a summer glow.
When you made me laugh,
you make me feel special.
You make me feel loved just the way I was.”

Sister Patricia Ann Seaman, CSJ died on January 3, 2019 in the 71st year of her religious life.