Obituary of SR. PATRICIA (MAGDALENA) KOWALCZYK, OSB

SR. PATRICIA (MAGDALENA) KOWALCZYK, OSB Sr. Patricia Kowalczyk died peacefully at Seven Oaks Hospital on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. She was in her 74th year of monastic profession. She was born on May 23, 1924 in Fish Creek, Saskatchewan, to Joseph and Anna (Buhl) Kowalczyk, and was the second youngest of twelve children. Sr. Patricia entered the Benedictine Sisters in Arborg, Manitoba, on September 16, 1941, following in the footsteps of her two older sisters Mary Evelyn (Sr. Leona), and Justina. She made her monastic profession on July 20, 1943. She had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and throughout her life could be seen with the rosary in her hands and with extra ones in her pockets. She was most faithful in praying for family members, community members, and any need she would be made aware of. Her family was very close knit. Though separated geographically, they kept in touch regularly. Patricia could always be seen writing letters, signing cards, making mementos, or corsages for some event in various family members’ lives. She often said she couldn’t sit idle. She loved to work with her hands. She re-cycled everything, cards, ribbons, dried flowers, and did her own calligraphy. She loved people and took part in any party, social visiting, or seniors’ group. Her greatest past time was playing cards with anyone and everyone, especially canasta and “Saskatchewan rummy”. During her many years of monastic life, she ministered mainly in bedside nursing at Sacred Heart Hospital in Russell, St. Mary’s Hospital in Birtle, Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli, Crerar Hospital in Winnipegosis, St. Benedict’s Manor in Arborg, and at the St. Benedict’s Monastery Infirmary, Winnipeg. Upon her retirement, she spent some time in travel, much time in prayer and patient suffering due to some spinal injury and Parkinson’s disease. Her last three years were spent at St. Joseph’s Residence in Winnipeg. Sr. Patricia was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Anna Kowalczyk; brothers John, Joseph, Louis, Anthony, and Peter; sisters Mary (Sr. Mary Evelyn), Susan (Sr. Justina), Anne, Frances, and Albina. She is survived by her younger sister Barbara, her great nephew, Most Rev. Bryan Joseph Bayda, CSsR of Saskatoon, faithful nieces, Shirley and Bernard Karstad, Caroline and Martin Pasieczka, and Beverly Onischak as well all her other nieces, nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, close friends and the member of her Religious Community. The Vigil Service will be held on Sunday, February 26th at 7:00 p.m., at St. Benedict’s Monastery Chapel, presided by Sr. Virginia Evard, Prioress. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. concelebrated by Most Rev. Bryan Bayda, CSsR and Rev. Dominic Yuen at St. Benedict’s Monastery Chapel with interment following in the Monastery Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined. Should family and friends so desire, donations can be made in Sr. Patricia’s memory to St. Benedict’s Foundation Inc., 225 Masters Avenue, Winnipeg, MB., R4A 2A1. The Sisters wish to express their gratitude to Drs. Terry and Andrea Babick, Darlene Patterson of St. Benedict’s Monastery Health Centre, the staff at St. Joseph’s Residence, and Seven Oaks General Hospital for their loving and dedicated care of Sr. Patricia. May she rest in peace.