Sr. Patricia Stark, OP

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, IL, 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, AR, 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 of Chicago, IL; her sister, Mary (Rich) Flammini of Aurora, CO; her beloved nieces and their families; and her Dominican Sisters.

Visitors are welcome; Visitation: 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Aquinas Center at Sacred Heart Convent, 1237 W. Monroe St., Springfield, IL. Visitation will begin with a prayer service.

Funeral Mass: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel with Father Robert Kelly, OP, celebrant.

Wake and Mass will be livestreamed at springfieldop.org/livestream/

Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Roselawn Memorial Park. Livestreamed on Facebook at springfieldop.org/livestream/

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-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.