Farewell to Sr Patricia Kingsley: A remarkable life of service
By Catherine Sheehan
After a remarkable life spanning 101 years, and characterised by loving dedication and service to the Catholic community in Tasmania, Sr Patricia Kingsley PBVM has been farewelled by those who knew and loved her.
Sr Pat died peacefully on 15 October, having been admitted to hospital a week earlier after suffering a fall at home.
Her significant legacy includes decades of service as a Presentation Sister teaching in Catholic schools around the state and later facilitating retreats at the Sisters’ House of Prayer, Maryknoll.
Patricia Olive Kingsley was born on 2 September 1925 in Launceston to parents Leo and Charlotte, the second eldest of their seven children.
She was educated by the Presentation Sisters at St Mary’s School and Sacred Heart College in Launceston.
After finishing school, she worked as a shop assistant for a short period before entering the novitiate with the Presentation Sisters in Launceston on 8 September 1943 at the age of 18.
She made her first profession on 2 February 1946 at the Church of the Apostles in Launceston, taking the religious name of Sr Leo.
She made her final profession on 2 February 1952.
After completing her teacher training, she embarked on her decades-long career in Catholic education.
Sr Pat taught at: St Mary’s College Hobart, Sacred Heart College Launceston, St Francis Xavier School Beaconsfield, St Cuthbert’s School Lindisfarne, Corpus Christi School Bellerive, St Brigid’s School New Norfolk, Our Lady Help of Christians School Newnham, St Mary’s School in Launceston, St Finn Barr’s at Invermay and Star of the Sea School in George Town.
In 1986 Sr Pat was appointed Sister in Charge at Maryknoll House of Prayer in Blackman’s Bay, a role which saw her organising retreats.
In September last year Sr Pat celebrated her 100th birthday and February this year marked 80 years since her first profession as a Presentation Sister.
Sr Pat was farewelled by family and friends during a funeral Mass on 28 October at Christ the Priest Church in Kingston.
The Mass of Christian Burial was attended by several Presentation Sisters and members of Sr Pat’s family. The main celebrants of the Mass were Fr Chris Hope and Fr Mike Delaney, with Fr Steven Smith, Fr Peter Addicoat and Fr Sunil de Silva concelebrating.
In his homily, Fr Chris spoke of Sr Pat’s many years of faithful service as a Presentation Sister and as a teacher in Catholic schools around Tasmania.
“Sr Pat, with her many long years of commitment, was obviously a very strong pillar of the faith for so many people,” Fr Chris said.
“There are many hear today who knew her as Sr Leo, who were taught by her.
“She came here to this parish in 1986, and has been ever since a very significant figure, almost like the matriarch of the parish family.
“She gave the great witness of course through the work of Maryknoll. How many people have been helped and strengthened in their life by the retreats that have taken place at Maryknoll.
“There’s no doubt that the fruits of Pat’s ministry, and Pat’s commitment over so many years, is evident here today.”
Sr Pat’s niece, Maryanne Ingram, gave a eulogy at the conclusion of the funeral Mass, and spoke of her aunt’s great love for her family, particularly her grand nieces and nephews.
“Pat has been a focal point, reason, and hostess, for many family reunions over the years,” Maryanne said.
“The enduring memories that all of us have of Pat is her great interest in our lives and that of our families.
“For longer than any of us can remember, a birthday card would arrive in the mail without fail, and when Pat no longer sent cards, this was replaced with a birthday phone call.
“We’re all so grateful and privileged to have had Pat as part of our lives for so long, and we’re all so sad that we’ll no longer have her wise counsel. But her words will never be forgotten as she leaves such a legacy with us all.”
Sr Majella Kelly PBVM also delivered a eulogy in which she recalled the vows Sr Pat had made back in 1946. Sr Majella quoted the words Sr Pat had sung from the Latin hymn, ‘Regnum Mundi’, during the ceremony for her first profession and rendered in English as follows:
“The kingdoms of the world and all their trappings I have despised for love of my Lord Jesus Christ, whom I have known, in whom I have believed, and towards whom my heart inclines.”
“Two weeks ago,” Sr Majella said. “In the middle of the day that the Lord, who she had known, in whom she had believed, and towards whom her heart had inclined for so many years, welcomed her home. We will miss her, but I think we can be sure that after a long life, she’s now resting in peace.”
Fr Chris reminded those gathered of Sr Pat’s great confidence in God’s love for her.
“Pat knew that she was loved and respected. She knew she was loved by God first of all.
“That confidence she had in the love of God comes through to us as we gather here today.
“It’s with that confidence we, in our Mass of Christian burial, and in the burial ceremony out at Cornelian Bay, we commit her then to the eternal love, the all-embracing love of God. May she rest in peace.”