Sister Mary Patricia Franz, OP, of Dominican Convent, Sparkill, New York, passed away on November 24, 2012 in Siena Hall Infirmary, Sparkill, NY. Born in Brooklyn, NY on April 9, 1920, Marie was the daughter of Joseph and Jennie Bryson Franz. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 2, 1938 and became known as Sister Mary Patricia, professing her first vows in 1940 and her final vows in 1945. Sister Mary Patricia earned a BA in Philosophy from Manhattan College, NY; a MA in European Studies from St. John’s University, NY; a MA in Sacred Doctrine from St. Mary’s College, IN and Certification in Theology from Providence College, RI.
Sister Mary Patricia was a teacher and professor on the elementary, high school and college levels. She served in the Archdiocese of New York at St. Brendan, Bronx, NY (1940-41); St. Helena, Bronx, NY (1941-48); Aquinas HS, Bronx, NY (1948-51); St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY (1954-68); Monsignor Scanlan HS, Bronx, NY (1968-71); and Rosary Academy, Sparkill, NY (1971-73). From 1951-1967 Sr. Mary Patricia served the congregation both as Director and teacher in the Formation Program for St. Agnes Novitiate and from 1973-1991she served as sacristan and organist for Dominican Convent. Upon her retirement in 1991 she offered prayer ministry to the sisters in the Motherhouse. Sister Mary Patricia is predeceased by her parents, Joseph Michael and Jennie Marie Bryson Franz; her sister Sr. Rose Marie Franz, APB; her brothers Rev. Joseph Bryson Franz and James Patrick Franz. She is survived by her sister Dr. Elizabeth Higgins, Elder, NY/Port Orange, FL; nephew Thomas Higgins (Ann) Newtown, PA; nieces Lt. Col. (ret.) Mary Fletcher (Charles) Fairfax, VA; Lt. Col. (ret.) Elizabeth Higgins (Mark Gabriels) Athens, GA; Major Tracy Higgins, New York, NY; grandnephews John, Peter, Michael and grandnieces Elizabeth and Genevieve.
We will remember Sister Mary Patricia as an avid learner and scholar. She was a deeply spiritual religious who loved her Dominican congregation and was faithful to the God she served for seventy-four years. We thank God for her life and her goodness. May the Lord welcome her into the kingdom and grant her eternal rest.