Sister Mary Patrick Murphy, SSJ, 1923-2025

Sister Mary Patrick Murphy, a Sister of St. Joseph for 71 years, died Jan. 16, 2025, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence in Clarence.

Sister Mary Pat’s 45 years (1955-2000) of teaching multiple business courses brought her to Mount St. Joseph Academy and Bishop O’Hern High School, both in Buffalo, and Cardinal Mindszenty High School in Dunkirk. She ministered at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf for 29 years in several capacities.

Moving to the Clarence Residence in 2000, Sister served in the finance office of the congregation until 2018. Her long-time friend, Maryellen Kloss, remembers her as “a quiet calming presence. She loved to hear updates and see pictures from everyone’s extended family.”

Born Dec. 1, 1923, in Johnsonburg, Gertrude Murphy was one of 12 children born to Ernest  and Mattie (Meyers) Murphy.

After graduating from Rochester Business Institute, Batavia Branch, School of Secretarial Sciences, Sister worked until she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in September 1952. She pronounced her final vows in August 1960. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, later Medaille College in Buffalo. She later completed certification in teaching the deaf and hearing impaired and multiply handicapped students from Gallaudet College in Washington, DC.

Sister was part of the SSJ Associate Team and of the Diocese of Buffalo’s Nursing Home Apostolate and Hospital Ministry. She served as secretary on the board of directors of the Claremount and was a trustee of the Institute of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Survivors include her sister Doris Dupont, her brothers Paul and Norman, many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.   

A funeral Mass was offered at the Sisters’ Residence in Clarence.