Sister Patricia Gavin
(Mary Ellen Ann)
Born to earthly life: March 18, 1945
Religious profession: July 30, 1964
Entered eternal Life: September 12, 2011
Country singer Zac Brown sings, “If you lose yourself, you find the key to paradise.” That’s exactly what Jesus says in the Gospels, and that’s exactly what Sister Patricia Gavin did so faithfully for many years — she continued to lose herself by giving herself to others — and now we know that she has found the key to paradise!
Born near the end of World War II while her father was in France, Patricia Louise was baptized at St. Mark parish in Gary, Indiana. Over the years, eight more children (five girls and three boys) were welcomed into the loving family of Robert and Santa Gavin. This really loving and really close family was very important to Sister Pat. You could even say that the Gavin family was truly paradise to Patty!
A new phase of Pat’s life was unfolding when she entered the School Sisters of Notre Dame on August 19, 1962. In her autobiography she writes; “During my senior year of high school, I began to feel that I might have a vocation. I did not want to think about it, but the idea just kept bothering me.” Paying attention to that idea led her to spend 47 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Sister Pat has given her gentle love to the sisters within the communities wherever she lived — as a student at Mount Mary College and student teacher at St. Michael, Milwaukee (1964-1966) and then as a teacher and/or principal at St. Mary, Alexandria, Ind., (1966-1971); Sacred Heart, Grand Rapids, Mich. (1971-1973); St. Adalbert, Grand Rapids, Mich., (1973-1980); St. Vincent de Paul, Shepherd, Mich. (1980-1982); Sacred Heart, Warsaw, Ind. (1982-1992); and St. Monica, Mishawaka, Ind. (1992-2011).
Giving her heart to the children she taught was Pat’s manner of service. A child with special needs held a special place in Sister Pat’s heart. She was active in a group called Friends of Jesus, a religious education group for students with special learning situations. Children were always the priority.
In 1982 she began giving her heart as principal. The people from the Indiana communities of Warsaw and Mishawaka can attest to countless, long and loving hours of dedicated ministry she gave. Her schools were always known as “family schools” with a “family” atmosphere. This was obvious during Sister Pat’s last week was at St. Monica’s as grandparents, parents, big high school kids, little grade school kids formed a steady stream — all coming to the house to say “good-bye.” Many reminded her of how she helped them through a challenging part in their lives. She had given them a part of paradise.
Sister Pat created a well rounded atmosphere within the school setting. She strongly believed that a complete curriculum included the fine arts, art classes, music classes and the performance of a musical each year. She was an advocate of consistent discipline within a loving environment and also attempted to have a resource teacher and counselor on staff.
In her consistent and quiet manner, she was truly a professional leader. She mentored women and men who were beginning their second careers as teachers. She also mentored teachers who were beginning to realize their potential as principals. She guided these colleagues to successful leadership positions. For some years she served as chairperson of the Principal Association of the Catholic Schools in the South Bend area of the diocese.
In 2009, the Ft. Wayne-South Bend Catholic Schools Office honored Sister Pat with the Principal of the Year award. In the opinion of many, she could have received it every year! Saint Monica’s School and Parish Community honored Sister Pat by creating an Outstanding Character Award in her name this past May and established an Endowment Fund for Catholic education scholarships. There was also a surprise Mass, TV cameras, flowers, cakes, students young and old, and plenty of happy tears! They knew she was Principal of the Year every year!
Two months ago the sisters at Notre Dame of Elm Grove welcomed Sister Pat gentle spirit and brave smile. They especially liked her waves and smiles as she left the dining room. And she especially liked it when so very many Sisters would stop by her room and whisper, “I love you and I’m praying for you.”
Early in Sister Pat’s illness, Sister Caroline Jakubowski created a card with a prayer to Blessed Mary Theresa, asking that every sign of cancer in her be removed, if that was God’s will. Mishawaka and several other cities in northern Indiana were storming heaven. But, Sister Pat’s recovery was not in God’s plan. The prayer concluded: “If not a recovery, Blessed Theresa, be with our Sister on her journey.” We trust that our Sister Pat is accompanied by all the SSNDs who have gone before her as she journeys through paradise.
– Sister Colleen Bauer, SSND
Sister Patricia Gavin, SSND died on September 12, 2011, age 66. Survived by her mother Santa Gavin, her sisters; Margaret (James) Jensen, Kathleen (John) Baraka, Virginia Gavin, Mary Ellen (Al) Young, Ruth (Vince) Lugo, her brothers, Martin (Kiki) Gavin, Robert (Yolanda) Gavin, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and the SSND Community. Preceded in death by her father, Robert Bernard Gavin and her brother James Gavin. Sr. Gavin had taught many years in Michigan in the past, and served as principal at Sacred Heart, Warsaw and St. Monica, Mishawaka, Indiana for the past 25 years. A Wake Service was celebrated September 17, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at The Holy Family Chapel at Notre Dame of Elm Grove, Wis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the School Sisters of Notre Dame or to St. Monica Parish, Sister Pat's Scholarship Fund in Mishawaka, Indiana.
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