Sister Betty Donoghue

Our sister Betty was born on June 5, 1937, in Melrose, Massachusetts, to Jeremiah and Elizabeth Geary Donoghue and was baptized Elizabeth Ann, said Sister Paula Modaff in her commentary for Sister Betty Donoghue, formerly Sister Clare Patrice, who passed away on Dec. 1, 2020, in Terre Haute, Indiana. She was 83 years old and had been a Sister of Providence for 66 years.

Sister Betty entered the Congregation on July 22, 1954, and was given the name Sister Clare Patrice. She professed final vows on January 23, 1962. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary of the Woods College. Of her 66 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered as a primary teacher for 19 years in Indiana, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. In 1976, she moved from education to health care. As a certified nurse’s aide, she ministered at the Motherhouse Infirmary for the next 25 years. Retiring from this position, she served in Providence Health Care as a Minister of Care, visiting, supporting, and praying with residents until the week before her death.

Sister Betty is survived by nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Jeremiah, and sisters Jane Donoghue and Nancy Butt. We offer our deepest sympathy to her nieces and nephews, her co-workers and friends, and most especially to her one remaining band member, Carolyn Kessler, SP, and to Betty Hopf, SP, her primary health care representative who was with Betty when she died. Betty Hopf was untiring in her care for Betty each time that she was in the hospital. During Betty’s last hospitalization, Betty checked with the doctor regularly to ensure the best possible care for her.

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