Obituary of Sr. Patricia J. Carson, R.S.M.

Sister Patricia Carson, Sister of Mercy Sister Patricia Carson, age 72, formerly Sister Mary Richardine, died peacefully on December 10, 2015 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center after a long illness. Sister Pat was born in Trenton, New Jersey in 1943 to Richard and Mary Carson, the middle child of five children. After graduation from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville in 1961, Sister Pat entered the Sisters of Mercy and continued her education at Georgian Court College (now University) in Lakewood, New Jersey, She earned her first degree in elementary education and taught in St. Matthew School in Edison and Immaculate Conception School in Camden before assuming the role of principal in Camden and in both St. Nicholas School and Holy Spirit School in Atlantic City. In 1975, Sister Pat moved to studies in urban education at Boston College and earned a Masters degree in Social Work at Rutgers University. She also assumed administrative positions in Bridgeton Apostolic Center and Catholic Social Services in both Gloucester and Cape May Counties. In 1987 Sister Pat was persuaded to move to the Hoopa Reservation in the Diocese of Santa Rosa in northern California to serve as director of the Blessed Tekakwitha Center. The mission parish covered over 1,000 miles and served approximately 3,000 Native Americans. She became director of the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Mission in 2001 and remained there until 2012. Sister Pat gradually earned the trust of the community and, with her experience in social work, was successful in helping them address the many factors, issues and family needs prevalent at that time and the impact of these on younger members of the community. Sister also served on the Diocesan Pastoral Council, as a member of the Mental Health Board and the Catholic Charities Board in Humboldt County. Though distance from home was challenging, Sister Pat grew to love the natural beauty and became a respected and loved member of the Hoopa community. Sister Pat is survived by her brothers, Richard Carson and wife Christine of Bordentown, NJ; Thomas Carson and wife Joan of Wilmington, DE; Robert Carson, S.J. of Philadelphia, PA and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews and Sisters of Mercy from the Mid-Atlantic Community. Visitation will take place at McAuley Hall Health Care Center Wake: 9-11am Welcome Home: 9:30am Mass of Christian Burial: 11am Burial will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community 1645 Highway 22 West, Watchung, NJ 07069 Welcome Home: 9:30am Mass of Christian Burial: 11am Burial will be in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield, NJ Memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, Mid-Atlantic Community 1645 Highway 22 West, Watchung, NJ 07069