Sr. Patricia Downey, OP, formerly known as Sister Jean Edmund, died on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 84 years of age and in the 66th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Patricia was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Edmund and Jeannette (Sunderland) Downey. She graduated from Aquinas Dominican High School in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; a Master of Arts degree in Education Administration from University of Detroit (Detroit Mercy) in Detroit, Michigan; and a Master of Theological Studies degree from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Sister spent over 27 years ministering in elementary and secondary education in Detroit and Eastpointe, Michigan; Cincinnati and Shaker Heights, Ohio; and Chicago, and Wilmette, Illinois. This includes her ministry of seven years as president of one of the Congregation’s secondary schools, Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette.
Additionally, she served the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois, for two years as superintendent of Catholic schools and for 13 years as director of the Department of Educational Services and served for nine years in the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, first as a field consultant and later as assistant superintendent. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2010.
Sister Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Mary Catherine Jennings. Sister is survived by a brother, Edmund Downey (Kathleen) of Wheaton, Illinois, other loving family, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30-7:00 pm on Thursday, February 2, 2023, in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, February 2, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 am Friday, February 3, 2023. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan 13 years:
- St. Basil, East Detroit (1958-62): Elementary Teacher
- St. Jude, Detroit (1969-70): Elementary Teacher
- St. Jude, Detroit (1970-78): Elementary Principal
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
Copy Permalink
