Patricia Ann Kelly

Sister Patricia “Pat” Kelly, SNDdeN grew up in South Boston, the oldest of four children. Her parents were Irish immigrants who met in the United States. While they had little in terms of material possessions, the Kellys prioritized providing a good home for their children with a strong emphasis on education.  

Sister Pat attended Notre Dame schools from grammar school to high school and while she had experience with a variety of congregations, she felt drawn to Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.  

“There was something special about Notre Dame,” she says. “I was attracted to their simplicity and dedication to teaching. They had such joy.” 

After graduation in 1965, Sister Pat entered the convent and began studying at Emmanuel College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education, but that road proved a short one for Pat. 

“I taught first grade for three years,” she explains, “until I realized it takes a certain kind of person to teach young kids, and I was not that person.” 

Instead, she began leaning into the work of caring for others. Summers spent as a nursing assistant at the Worchester long term care facility had sparked an interest in nursing. She was encouraged to pursue that passion and went back to school to become a registered nurse. 

“It surprised me how much I enjoyed it,” she admits. 

Spending the next 40 years in healthcare proved her career pivoted in the right direction. Sister Pat was a nurse at Worchester for 20 years, then spent the next 10 years at the Ipswich health center. For another 10 years she focused on end-of-life care and then returned to Ipswich as a community coordinator.  

Her empathy, kindness and compassion were traits that served her well as she tended to the physical and spiritual needs of Sisters who were completing their journeys. 

“I enjoyed being with the Sisters, caring for them and listening to their stories,” Sister Pat says. “I was privileged to be a companion to some very wonderful women in their final moments. It’s a sacred honor to be present when a Sister dies.” 

As she celebrates six decades of religious life, Sister Pat is grateful for the wonderful life she’s lived and those who have shared it with her: “It’s about the people for me, the ones I’ve met and cared for who inspired me.” 

“Be like the sunflower that follows every movement of the sun, and keep your eyes always turned towards our good God.” ~ St. Julie Billiart 

Updated in 2025