Sr. Virginia Ptak, FMM

Sr. Virginia Ptak was born in Detroit, MI on January 30, 1924 to her parents. Michael and Antonina (Pitko). She grew up in a bi-lingual household where both Polish and English were spoken. Virginia was fluent in both languages. After attending school, in her early life, Virginia worked in a factory office during the difficult time of the Second World War. She knew she was being called to a different way of life and so on September 16, 1944 she entered the Franciscan Missionaries in North Providence, RI, fondly known as “Fruit Hill”. She received the Habit on March 19, 1945, pronounced her First Vows on March 19, 1947 and her Final Vows on March 19, 1950.

Virginia’s life was always one of service. Even as a small child she would do errands for her family and her neighbors using a small wagon to bring home the groceries. This gift of service was evident during her life as an FMM. From 1947 to 1975 Virginia was a house mother at St Francis Hospital in Roslyn, New York, and an X-Ray Technician while she studied Nursing at Nassau Community College obtaining an Associate in Science Degree. In 1973 she became an RN and in 1981, received her BS in Nursing in St. Louis, Mo.

During the years 1975 -1976, Virginia also studied Rural Frontier Nursing while she worked at a hospital in Hyden, Kentucky. After this she worked as a hospital nurse in our mission in St. Michael’s, Arizona.

Virginia’s next mission was in Home Health Nursing and then as a School Nurse at Dominican Academy in Fall River, MA. Virginia was also a coordinator for St. Michaels’s Core Community at Fruit Hill and gave teaching sessions to the nursing staff at the FMM Skilled Nursing Facility. Her next mission sending was to St. Francis Community in Roslyn, NY where she did public health nursing and worked to welcome children from other countries for cardiac surgery and arranging their appointments and procedures. She remained at St. Francis Community in Roslyn, NY for many years, helping where she could and assisting with hospitality.

Virginia’s calm but knowledgeable presence was helpful to any place where there were sick people in need of care. She took the time to help several of her family members who were very ill, spending many years caring for her sick sister who lived alone. Virginia was very dedicated to her sister until her sister passed away.

Generous with her time, Virginia had the commitment and gentleness of a true servant of God. In 2018, when Virgina herself needed care, she joined Queen of Peace Community, Fruit Hill. Six years later, she had the joy of celebrating her 100th birthday.

In October,2024 she was missioned to Ein Karim Community in residence at St. Antoine’s. Virgina passed away quietly and peacefully at St. Antoines on March 15, 2024 at the great age of 101 years. We give God thanks for her long life.

Visitation for Virginia will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, 385 Fruit Hill Ave, North Providence, RI 02911. Mass of Christian Burial will be the following morning in the Missionary on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 9:00 am. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland.