Obituary of Sister Patricia Josephine Halpin, FCJ

May 13, 1936 - Lethbridge, Alberta

April 15, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Sr. Patricia Josephine Halpin (Pat) was born in Lethbridge and raised on a farm near Bow Island, AB. She is mourned by her siblings, Sheila (Torsher), Tim and Roger Halpin, their children, grandchildren and by her FCJ Sisters. Pat attended the local public school except for Grade Six and High School when she boarded at Sacred Heart Convent, Calgary, and attended St. Mary’s Girls’ High School. The words of Jesus from Gal.2:20b (having loved ‘me’, he gave himself up for ‘me’) were emphasized during a homily that she heard in her Grade 11 retreat. Those words clarified her vocational choice. She entered with the Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus on February 2, 1955, and made her vows in Calgary. After completing her B.A. from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, she did her teacher training in England and returned to Toronto for her Masters’ degree. The following year she taught in Edmonton. From 1968 until 1972 she worked in Adult Education for the Archdiocese of Edmonton before returning to teaching in Catholic Schools from 1972 to 1992. During this period, she served for a time as a consultant for high school religious studies.

Sr. Pat was the local leader for the Edmonton community in the early 1990’s and oversaw a discernment about the use of our two houses in Edmonton. The decision was to give the larger house to Catholic Social Services to be used as a safe house for young women. In 1994 she took on the role of Provincial Bursar for the FCJ Sisters in Canada.

Beginning in 2007, Sr. Pat did volunteer ministry in palliative care at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton and, in May 2018, she was awarded a certificate for her ten years of dedicated service. She had a love for working with the developmentally challenged and enjoyed many happy occasions with the l’Arche Community of Edmonton. For health reasons, she was missioned to Swan Evergreen Village Eversyde, Calgary, in September 2018. She benefitted from some months in United Active Living Fish Creek North before moving to Providence Centre Care in June 2021. The Sisters FCJ are very grateful to Judith Mbatifuh LPN, Ramona Smith LPN, to Dr. Falk and all the staff of Providence Care Centre who took such wonderful care of Sr. Pat.  May she rest in peace.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at Sacred Heart Convent FCJ (219 – 19th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Convent FCJ (219 – 19th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow at the Sacred Heart Convent FCJ. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Sr. Patricia Halpin’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. A Graveside Service will be held at St Mary's Cemetery on Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Patricia Halpin, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200

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