Obituary of Patrice Hessman

Sister Patrice Hessman, 86, departed this life on October 25, 2015. Anna Kathleen Hessman was the second of five children born to Anna (Weeks) and John Hessman. She is also survived by her sister Shelagh VanSaanen of Maryland and her brother James Hessman of Maryland and many nieces and nephews. As a child, Anna hoped to be a nurse. One teacher told her that if she entered the convent, she could become a nursing sister. Circumstances eventually led Anna to school at Divine Providence Academy, and within three months, having been influenced by the sisters, she applied and was received into the community, being given the name Sister Patrice. After completing her novitiate, she taught in the Pittsburgh Diocese, until her move to New England in the early 1950's. In Massachusetts, Sister Patrice taught at Sacred Heart School in Plymouth and then Kingston, in Orleans and South Weymouth; she also taught in Stamford, CT. During her time as a teacher, Sister Patrice earned degrees in education and psychology. After many years as a teacher, Sister Patrice pursued her life-long dream of becoming a nurse. She became an RN and served as staff nurse and in crisis intervention at South Shore Hospital, Weymouth MA, as a staff nurse and in triage in Sun City AZ, and in other medical facilities. Sister Patrice was known to everyone for her amazing sense of humor. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, October 27, at the Providence House, 363 Bishop's Highway, Kingston from 2:00 to 5:00PM and 6:00 to 8:00PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 28, at 4:00PM at the Sacred Heart High School Chapel. Internment will follow at Our Lady of Divine Providence Cemetery.