Sister Patricia's Services
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Thursday, July 18, 2024, Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704. Visitation will begin with a prayer service.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel.
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Livestream
Visitation prayer service and Mass of Christian Burial will livestream from springfieldop.org/live-stream
Burial services livestreamed at facebook.com/springfieldop
Springfield Dominican Sister Patricia Stark died July 8, 2024, at Sacred Heart Convent, during the 59th year of her religious profession. She was born in 1945 in Chicago to George and Marie (NEE Watt) Stark and baptized Patricia Anne at St. Christina Parish. She made her profession of vows as Sister George Marie in 1965 at Sacred Heart Convent.
Sister Patricia began her ministerial life teaching first grade at parochial schools in Aurora and Granite City, Ill., then from 1974-1981 served in Lima and LaOroya, Peru. She received dispensation from her vows as a Dominican Sister in order to follow her heart into the Little Sisters of the Gospel, then returned, renewing her vows as a Dominican Sister in 1987. She taught at St. Frances Cabrini School, Springfield, and at the Hillsboro Religious Education Center, before returning to Peru. When she returned to the United States, she began outreach ministry to the Spanish-speaking community in Rogers, Ark., completed a dual degree in pastoral counseling and pastoral studies, and for 18 years worked as a counselor and pastoral minister in the Spanish-speaking community in Chicago. She returned to Springfield in 2018, providing support for the community at Sacred Heart Convent and serving briefly at St. Malachy Parish, Rantoul.
Sister Patricia was preceded in death by her brother Joe who died in childhood, her parents, and her brother Larry (Pilar). She is survived by her brother George Stark, Chicago, Ill., her sister Mary (Rich) Flammini, Aurora. Colo., her beloved nieces, their families, and her Dominican Sisters.
Visitors are welcome; Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Thursday, July 18, 2024, Aquinas Center, Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62704. Visitation will begin with a prayer service.
Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, Father Robert Kelly, OP, celebrant.
Wake and Mass will be livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/.
Burial 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 19, Roselawn Memorial Park. Livestreamed on Facebook at @springfieldop.
Memorials to honor the memory of Sister Patricia may be made to the Dominican Sisters Retirement Fund, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL, 62704.
The Dominican Sisters and family of Sister Patricia are served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Please leave your condolences in the comments below or visit dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/butler.
Will miss our outings, laughter, conversations and friendship. Wish I could’ve said goodbye. May she rest in peace in God’s arms.
Patty was my cousin who always showed a stong love of her faith, family & friends. She had the kindest heart & her laughter was so delightful. We enjoyed several holidays with her when our Uncle Elmer visited. I cherish the memories & will miss our texts & visits. We love you, Patty. Marsha & Ray Daudelin
Please accept my condolence George and Mary and Rich and all of your dear children.
I treasured the visits from the Chicago Stark family to our home in Belleville, IL. Patty was so sweet and over the years we were able to visit with her in Springfield. She had such strong faith and love of her catholic life. God bless you Patty and watch over your dear family. 🙏
So grateful for my friendship with Pat. We worked together with our Guatemalan immigrants and often she would provide translation for them for various reasons. With one young man she attended 9 weeks of anger management counseling sessions and translated the sessions for him. So generous, so kind and so loving. I am sad that she has gone home to God as we carry on without her beautiful spirit.