Patricia Sheridan
Patricia Sheridan was born on November 27, 1924 to parents Edith and John Sheridan in St. Louis, Missouri. Along with her younger twin brothers, Jimmy and Jerry, Pat grew up in north St. Louis, graduating from St. Alphonsus “Rock” High School in June of 1942.
She joined the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in September of 1949 and made her final vows in 1955. Pat’s ministries in religious life took her to Houston, Tulsa, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and San Francisco over the course of twenty-two years. Although she left the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in 1971, she retained many spiritual lessons and good friendships from those years.
Pat returned to St. Louis, where she first worked for the United Way, followed by twenty years of service in clerical positions with the federal government.
Pat loved life and the people she met along the way. She never tired of looking for God in all things and in all people. Her enthusiasm for learning was evident in the collection of books in home. Some of her favorite authors include Karen Armstrong, Teilhard de Chardin, Ilia Delio, and Thomas Merton. She read the newspaper each day from cover to cover, and regularly attended lectures on current events covering politics, religion, ethics, and the environment. Her passion for social justice fueled her attendance at numerous public demonstrations over the years, including protesting the Iraq War, as well as regular participation with the “Women in Black” who stood in support of the people of Palestine. She was active in the buy local movement and supported local institutions like the Black Rep and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Pat went home to God on Thursday, April 16, 2020. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and her neighbors in Affton; as well as by her communities at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Associates.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be scheduled when such gatherings can take place again.
A light to all. Pat’s wise ways have been inspiring to watch and to learn from. I am thankful to have known her. Thanks to all who cared for her in her time of need.
Pat was a treasured Associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She lived and breathed our charism of caring for the “Dear Neighbor”. Her gentle, loving ways were an inspiration. Her smile and laughter were gifts.
I have just now heard of this loss. Pat was my grandmother’s (June Kroeck) best friend. I loved visiting Pat in her home as a little girl when I came to St Louis to visit grandma. She loved to share picture and stories of her cats. What a great soul. She will be greatly miss. I hope Pat and grandma are up there dancing their hearts away.
Pat was my mom’s best friend for years. Thinking of her today as she used to come over for Thanksgiving dinner. My mom June passed away in January 2020. I’m sure they are square dancing together again.
What a wonderful picture of Pat! Her bright Irish light will shine always in our lives. I remember these words from an Emily Dickinson poem she shared with me long ago:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –