Sr. Patricia O’Reilly, OP, formerly known as Sr. Charles Thomas, died on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, at the Dominican Life Center. She was 93 years of age and in the 75th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Patricia was born in Toledo, Ohio, to Thomas and Charlotte (Daunhauer) O'Reilly. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy, Adrian and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian and a Master of Arts degree in Vocational Education from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. She was also certified in Clinical Pastoral Education by the Medical College of Ohio and as a chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
Sister Patricia spent 30 years ministering in elementary and high school education in Detroit, Adrian and Blissfield, Michigan; Rockford and Chicago, Illinois; and Las Vegas, Nevada. She also taught at Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian for six years. She served as Chaplain for six years in hospitals in Toledo, Cleveland and Lima, Ohio, and as Admissions Coordinator for three years at Bixby Hospital in Adrian. She was a Pastoral Minister for 2 years at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, and for 2 years at St. John Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Sister also served the Congregation for four years at Weber Center in Adrian, two years as an executive secretary and two years as the manager of the Weber Shop.
Sister Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Rev. James E. O’Reilly, SJ. She is survived by a sister, Kathleen O'Reilly, of Clinton Township, Michigan, and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation protocols, the Dominican Life Center is closed until further notice to all guests or visitors. All are welcome to participate in Sister’s wake and funeral via live stream at http://www.adriandominicans.org/LiveStream.aspx
The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2021, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Word Service will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. Prayers of Committal will be held in the back of St. Catherine Chapel.
Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan for 30 years:
- St. Edward, Detroit (1948-49): Elementary Teacher
- St. Theresa, Detroit (1951): Elementary Teacher
- Dominican High School, Detroit (1951-57): High School Teacher
- St. Theresa High School, Detroit (1957-62): High School Teacher
- Rosary High School, Detroit (1962-64): High School Teacher
- St. Agatha High School, Detroit (1964-65): High School Teacher
- Siena Heights College (University), Adrian (1965-71): College Teacher
- St. Agatha High School, Detroit (1971-72): High School Teacher
- Bixby Hospital, Adrian (1973-76): Admissions Coordinator
- Blissfield Community Schools, Blissfield (1976-77): High School and Elementary Substitute
- Weber Center, Adrian (1978-80): Executive Secretary
- Weber Center, Adrian (1995-97): Gift Shop Manager
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.
