Obituary of Sister Patricia Friel

Born: Patricia C. Friel on March 17, 1934 Died: September 3, 2016 in the St. Francis Community, St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY Daughter of Francis and Anna (Thill) Friel of Staten Island, NY She was received into the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse on August 15, 1957 and professed her final religious vows on August 16, 1964. For over 50 years, Sr. Patricia devotedly lived the Mission of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany. Sister attended St. Clare�s Grade School and graduated in 1952 from St. Louis Academy, both on Staten Island. She completed her B.S. in Nursing at St. John�s University in Jamaica, NY, graduating in 1964. Sister went on to receive a Master�s in Nursing from the University of Florida in Gainsville in 1968 and studied management at Tulane University in 1969. Sister Patricia ministered in nursing for much of her religious life. She served as a nurse and as the Associate Director of Nursing Services at St. Mary�s Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL; the Director of Nursing at St. Francis Hospital in Olean, NY; an infirmary nurse at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in Allegany, NY; a Community Health nurse at Sacred Heart Parish in Albany, NY; and a Nursing Services consultant and then Assistant Director of the Bureau of Hospital Nursing Services for the NY State Health Department. In 1979, she moved into management and administration, serving as a consultant for New York State Emergency and Disaster Services; Assistant Administrator, Local Coordinator, and Vice President of St. Anthony Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL; Administrator, Executive Vice President, and CEO of St. Mary�s Hospital in West Palm Beach, FL; and as a Pastoral Associate at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Riviera Beach, FL, St. John Fisher in West Palm Beach, FL, St. Peter Claver Church in Tampa, FL, and St. John Church in Olean, NY. She also served for a time as Assistant Administrator of the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Sister was welcomed home to the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 2001, and retired in 2007. Sr. Patricia is predeceased by her parents; a brother; and three sisters. She is survived by several nieces. A Wake Service was held on Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, Allegany, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held September 8, 2016 at 9 a.m. in the Chapel of St. Elizabeth Motherhouse, followed by burial in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. 646 East State Street, Olean, NY.