Sister Patricia Linehan

Sister Patricia Linehan passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana. She was 87-years-old and was a Sister of Providence for 32 years.

Commentary

By Sister Paula Damiano, SP

Sister Pat Linehan, in describing her journey into religious life, wrote this:

“My father leaned down to me, a toddler in the Church pew, pointed to the host in the monstrance and said, ‘That is Jesus,’ and that was the beginning. Years later, my father’s job moved us to Richmond, Indiana, where I first met the Sisters of Providence, who influenced me in many ways. Sisters Mary Roger, Rose Michele and Irma Rose spoke with me about Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. My first visit was in 1951, when at the age of 13, I found the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and knew in my heart, that this was it. This was home! Jesus was my anchor.”

But, Pat’s life took some twists and turns and she weathered some storms along the way before she found her anchor within this congregation of Providence.

Pat’s parents, Laurence and Sueanna Smithwick Linehan had given birth to their first daughter, Jane, in 1930. I suspect Jane may have thought she was to be an only child until eight years later when her parents announced there would be another little girl in the house. On May 15, 1938, Patricia Ann was born in Cincinnati. Her earliest years found her nurtured in faith by her parents, especially her father whose Catholicism was at the center of his life and by the Ursuline Sisters at Holy Names Parish. During her early years, Pat and her older sister became, in Pat’s words, “best of friends who would argue and fight and 10 minutes later, we were the best of friends all over again.”

The Sisters of Providence in Richmond spoke to Pat about the Providence Juniorate High School at the Woods. In 1952, one year after her first visit here, Pat found herself with a group of 20-plus young girls who wanted to consider becoming Sisters of Providence. Following high school graduation, Pat did join the congregation in 1956. Two of her band members, Sisters Ann Casper and Mary Frances Keusal, remain and we extend our sympathy to them. When she entered the novitiate, Pat was given the name Sister Lawrence Ann.

During her first two years of religious formation, Pat felt a second calling in her heart — that was, to be a nurse. She wanted to be a Sister of Providence and a nurse. However, at the time nearly 99 percent of the community’s members were teachers. Pat was told that if she wanted to be a nurse, she should consider leaving the congregation. In fact, the superior, who knew Pat’s parents were coming to visit the following weekend, suggested she return home with them. Pat was devastated.

This was one of the many times she would be asked to navigate stormy seas. But, she did return home and eventually Pat graduated from St. Francis School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio, in 1963. She wrote this about her decision to go to the Navy as a nurse, “By the time I’d worked a year as a nurse, after graduating from a Hospital School of Nursing, it was becoming obvious a lot of somebody’s were going to be seriously hurt in a jungle climate called Vietnam. Maybe it was time to give back.”

And Pat did just that. She gave back by caring for the wounded, the dying, young men who lost limbs, Vietnamese children who were burned or hit with shrapnel. Through it all, God was her anchor, her strength, her grounding as she served in Vietnam aboard the hospital ship, the USS Repose.

Joe Buckles was one of the young solders Pat treated for a serious head injury. Fifty years later, he sent a letter to Pat. This is a brief portion of what he wrote:

Sister Pat,

My name is Joe Buckles. I was a patient of yours. I’m writing this to say something I should have done over 50 years ago. That being my heartfelt thanks for what you did for me, my fellow sailors and the army and Marines you cared for.

I never took the time to offer my thanks to you before I was sent home. Like most, all I wanted to do was get home and put Vietnam behind me.

Mistakenly, I once called you, Lieutenant Linehan. Sorry. (He apologizes here because Pat was actually a Captain). Joe continues on, telling about his life since that war and then concludes this way:

Well, I’ve taken enough of your time. You were looked upon in a very appreciative and professional manner of running a “very tight ship.” I’m forever thankful for your care,

Joe

The amazing part of this story is that Joe is from Terre Haute. After some internet searches, I was able to locate Joe. He and his wife join us today.

During Pat’s 25 years in the Navy, in addition to Vietnam, she served in Rhode Island, California, New York, Washington, Florida and Maryland.

When Pat retired from the Navy in 1989, she had also earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a master’s degree in nursing education, both from the University of Washington. Her specialization was neurosurgical nursing and neuro-intensive care.

The tragic death of Pat’s sister Jane had a profound impact on Pat’s life. Jane died in 1979 at the age of 49 as a result of a horrific fire in the home’s garage. Burned over 98 percent of her body, she died a week later, leaving her husband Bob to raise seven children, the youngest of them in middle school.

Once again, Pat was asked to step into the deep waters of pain and grief. As one of her nieces wrote, “Aunt Pat stepped up on what needed to be done, even as all of us were distracted, in a state of shock. She provided guidance and support to us, even as she herself grieved. And she became a mother figure, especially for us five girls.”

Once she retired from the Navy Nurse Corps, the next phase of Pat’s journey was soon to begin.

During the next few years, Pat relocated to Indianapolis. As Providence would have it, she took a position at the Archdiocese Catholic Center. Sister Marie Kevin ministered there as well and as Pat said, “Marie Kevin just kept asking, ‘Pat, have you ever thought of coming back?’”

Well, Pat had certainly been thinking about it. In fact, she knew that her heart was still here at the Woods. To help her know if her decision was a firm one, she made a pilgrimage to various Marian shrines in Europe, seeking guidance. Thus, in August 1993, some 37 years after leaving the Sisters of Providence, Pat re-entered the community. Sister Kate Smith was her band member. Kate, we extend our sympathy to you.

For Pat, the transition to this life challenged her in so many ways. The world had changed; the Church had changed; the Sisters of Providence had changed and Pat had changed. Leaving the comfortable and independent life she established after the Navy wasn’t easy. So many of us came to the congregation when we were young and didn’t have many possessions to give up. Pat, on the other hand, owned a house, two cars and a boat, to name only a few.

Her years in the Navy, along with her nurses training taught her efficiency and self-reliance. No longer was she the Captain in charge, no longer the nurse providing care, but instead learning a new way of being in a community of women with vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience.

Pat slowly integrated herself into the congregation and professed First Vows in 1996 and made Final Profession in 2000. In her time with us the studied Theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Pat’s dream of being a Sister of Providence and a nurse was finally realized when she became the first Clinical Coordinator of St. Ann’s Clinic in Terre Haute, preparing for its opening beginning in 1996 and then serving as administrator of the clinic from 1997 to 2002.

Sister Pat was a creative woman with considerable artistic talent. Following her ministry at St. Ann’s Clinic, she studied photography at Indiana State University, earning a master’s of fine arts degree. Among her creations are a great variety of greeting cards and post cards depicting scenes of the Woods. Many of her photographs were matted and framed to be gifts to donors or to grace the walls of the Motherhouse. She was often behind the camera and rarely in front of it, as you will notice from the photos in the back of the church.

Sister Pat was a gifted and multi-talented woman who gave herself fully to life. She was an outstanding nurse and nurse educator, a skilled administrator, a dedicated member of the U.S. Navy, a gifted artist, a devoted and caring aunt, and above all, a deeply committed member of the Sisters of Providence.

Pat’s family was important to her and they knew it. Here are some memories the seven nieces and nephews shared about Pat.

From Chip: Aunt Pat always sent Christmas gifts to the entire family. Some were really cool, some a bit strange, but we were thankful for them all, especially the interesting Christmas ornaments. I still enjoy hanging favorites, like the Irish Flying Golfing Santa!

From Dave: Pat’s nephew-in-law: Over the years, I would seek insight and counsel from Aunt Pat, usually about medical issues. Yet, whenever I was discussing potential care or side effects, or just nervousness or fear, her answers were not only the straight hard medical facts I needed to hear, but also the more important comforting guidance based in her faith and her ability to share that faith. I always left those conversations better informed but also with a faith and a hope for a good outcome.

From Terry: The coolest aunt ever! Over the years, she gave me advice that I took to heart, and that is to put my trust in God. He is always with me. He never gives us more than we can handle. I will know God’s plan for me, not in my time, but in God’s time.

From Kath: When my husband and I got married, Aunt Pat took responsibility for getting our luggage to the getaway car. When we arrived in the hotel for our honeymoon, we opened our suitcases to find them filled with hamster hash, moth balls and baby powder! It was disgusting! We look back on it now and laugh heartily! She taught us so many lessons: How to be a fun-loving, generous, adventurous, hopeful, faith-filled, gift of God and an aunt.

From Terry: Aunt Pat helped me through some very tough times. She would always ease your worries. She would calmly and methodically talk you through what to expect and what options to consider. She taught me to be confident in my decisions and to be my own advocate. She’d say, “You got this!”

From Bobby, her brother-in-law: We had military service in common; a special connection. I respected her for what she did for our men and women in uniform. She saved many, many lives to which we owe her a debt of gratitude. I will never forget my Nam sister.

From Barb: One time we met for dinner in Indianapolis only to find that each restaurant had a two hour wait. When we asked the person at the desk why everything was so crowded, she look at us and said, “Well, it is Valentine’s Day!” We had no idea and laughed about this every year when Valentine’s Day rolled around.

From Kath: One Thanksgiving after our mom died, Aunt Pat and I made Stollen together. We laughed and laughed as we ended up in sticky dough up to our elbows. It was like something out of an “I Love Lucy” episode. 

From Mary: Aunt Pat was ALWAYS just a phone call away. She chose her words and explanations carefully, in terms I could understand. Always positive, upbeat, encouraging and supportive. She was always right when she said, “You’ll be just fine!”

Barb, Kath and Dave, Mary and Bobby, Chip and Patti, Terry and Roland, Chris and Aaron, Mark, Mike, Bonnie and family members who are unable to be here, your Aunt Pat loved you very much and her spirit will continue to be in your lives. Our sympathy is with you at this time.

Sister Pat’s last months of life were challenging. For six of the seven months of Pat’s illness, she was confined to bed and often experienced great discomfort and pain. Her faith was resolute and her reliance on Providence, strong. I believe it was strengthened even more in her visits with Charlie Clark, her hospice nurse. Charlie told several of us that she learned who Providence is through Sister Pat.

Charlie, a devout Christian woman, said she received more from Pat than she gave. They prayed together. They talked about faith, about God’s action in their lives, about religious life and all things Catholic. Charlie is still a bit unsure if she gets all the vocabulary right or not. Aspirancy, Postulancy, Annual Meeting, General Chapter! It can be a bit baffling. Charlie, we cannot thank you enough for your attentive care to our Sister Pat and to all your patients here at the Woods.

This commentary may be longer than usual, but Sister Marie McCarthy, who contributed to it as well, said there was a vastness and a depth to Pat that can no more be captured than the vastness and depth of the ocean. She lived a life fuller than most and all the streams of that life led home to God.

During her last days, nurses, CNAs and other Providence Health Care staff came to say goodbye, most leaving in tears. One of the CNAs said that Sister Pat would often correct her English. “At first it bothered me,” she said, “But then one day, she told me that if I wanted to go to nursing school, it would be important to use proper English. I said that I do want to become an RN and so I thanked her every time she corrected me.”

Another CNA said this, “Sister Pat taught me something I will never forget. She told me that God had a special place in the next life reserved just for me. Because of Sister Pat, I really believe it now.”

Pat, you passed on your faith to so many and you did so until you could no longer speak. Dear sister and friend, we now say to you, God does have a special place reserved just for you. And we know that place is the deep ocean of God’s immense love. We miss you. Go with God.

Funeral Information

Funeral services for Sister Patricia took place on Sunday, August 17, and Monday, August 18, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

A Wake took place from 2:30-4:30 p.m., on Sunday, August 17. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., on Monday, August 18.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Sister Patricia to the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

We welcome you to share your memories of Sister Patricia in the comment section below.

Sister Patricia Linehan

Complete Ministry

In Indiana: Administrative Assistant, Family Life OFC, Archdiocese of Indianapolis (1993-94); Coordinator of Clinic Services, St. Ann’s Care Center, Terre Haute (1996-97); Coordinator of Clinic Services, St. Anns Clinic, Terre Haute (1997-98)l Administrator/Clinic Coordinator, St. Ann Clinic (1998-002); Freelance Artist, Terre Haute (2009-2024); Prayer, Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods (2025).