Sister Patricia (Pat) Desaulniers, M.M. died on February 8th, 2021 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY. She was born on July 23rd, 1921 in Boston, MA to Marie (Dolan) Desaulniers and Eugene Desaulniers. She had two brothers and three sisters: Charles, Eugene, Ruth, Eleanor, and Marguerite. She is survived by her sister Marguerite.
In 1939, Pat graduated from St. Joseph’s High School, Williamsport, PA. She then attended Williamsport Technical Institute (now known as Penn College of Technology) during her senior year for business courses. Following high school graduation, she also worked as a Billing Clerk at CA Reed Company for three years. During World War II, qualified by U.S. Civil Service, she worked as a Secretary for the Officer- in- Charge for the U.S. Army Air Force (at the Lycoming Division of the Aviation Corporation).
On October 5th, 1946 Pat entered the Congregation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY (from Annunciation Parish in Williamsport, PA). She made her First Profession of Vows on April 6th, 1949 at the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY and her Final Profession of Vows on April 6th, 1952, also at the Sisters Center.
From 1948-1952, she attended Maryknoll Teachers College (located on the property of the Maryknoll Sisters Center) and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.
Sister Pat received her first overseas mission assignment to Pusan, Korea in 1952! There, she helped with clinic admissions; taught catechetics and managed a Korean language study program for Maryknoll Sisters who were newly assigned to Korea.
In 1956, Sister Pat relocated to the Philippines, for the next 10 years she served as Principal in several high schools located in Malabon, Pakil, Santiago and Jimenez. During this time, she also worked as a teacher in the Santo Tomas School District until 1965. In 1968, she transferred to Manila to continue her studies in Sociology at the Asian Social Institute until 1970. After two years of studying, she then served as Regional Governing Board Member, taught at the Asian Social Institute and planned seminars for faculty members at various Maryknoll Schools until 1974. She then returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center for Congregational Service, working in the Communications Office until 1976
Sister Pat became involved in social work and pastoral ministry, working with the Southern KY Pastoral Missions in Burkesville, KY. In 1978, she transferred to White Oak, TN where she spent the next year engaged in community development efforts. From 1979-2000, she served on the Regional Governing Board with the Maryknoll Women’s Network and also engaged in family ministry in Williamsport, PA.
In 2000, Sister Pat returned to the Maryknoll Sisters Center, Maryknoll, NY to work as Business Manager of the Maryknoll Sisters Mission Institute Program. In 2008, she fully retired.
Funeral Services: Due to the pandemic, a private Memorial Service was held for Sister Pat on February 11th, 2021.