Obituary of Sr. Patricia A. Godri, SC

Sister Patricia Godri, SC, (80), formerly Sister Agnes Joseph, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, died January 7, 2024, at Complete Care at St. Vincent’s, Cedar Grove, NJ.

Sister Patricia was born in Passaic, New Jersey, the daughter ofJoseph and Agnes (Daly) Godri. She entered the Sisters of Charity on September 6, 1961, and was a member for 62 years. 

Sister Patricia graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth(University), Morristown, New Jersey with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and from LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA with an M.A. degree in Theology. 

Initially Sister Patricia served as a teacher in New Jersey. She taughtat St. Aloysius School, Newark, St. Patrick School, Newark and St. Thomas the Apostle School, Bloomfield. Sister Pat then began      many years of pastoral ministry as a Director of Religious Education at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Mountain Lakes,Resurrection Parish, Randolph and Assumption Parish, Morristown. In 1994 Sister Pat answered a call to serve in the rural South; she was appointed Lay Ecclesial Minister at St. Anne Catholic Church, Carthage, MS and served there until 2015. Sister Pat shepherded a congregation of diverse ethnic backgrounds; about one half of the parishioners were of Latino origin. In all six languages were spokenthere.

Sister Pat created a welcoming community offering hospitality and love to all.  In addition to providing spiritual support, she assisted people with food, clothing and assistance navigating local social and healthcare services. 

Sister Pat had a great love for all of God’s creation. Animals had a special place in her heart. Sister Pat rescued over 500 dogs during her time in Mississippi.

After her time in Mississippi, Sister Pat moved to the Convent of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station. While there she served as Director of Sister Volunteers and Director of Transportation for the motherhouse community. Sister Pat also volunteered at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ. When Sister Pat’s health declined, she moved to the Cedar Grove facility where she resided until her death.

Sister Pat was predeceased by her parents and her sister Joanne VanSteyn. She is survived by the Sisters of Charity, her aunt Mary Godri, her brother-in-law Paul Van Steyn, her niece Amanda Hart, her nephew David Van Steyn, her grandnephew Justin, and her grandniece Sophia.

The wake for Sister Patricia Godri will be held in Holy Family Chapel, Convent Station, NJ on Wednesday, January 10, from 9:30a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00.Burial will be in Holy Family Cemetery, Convent Station immediately following the Mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of S.J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, Lake Hiawatha, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Sister Patricia Godrito the Sisters of Charity Development Fund, P O Box 476 Convent Station, NJ would be appreciated.