Obituary of Sister Patricia Conlin
Mercy Sister Patricia Conlin was born on February 10, 1940, in New York City and grew up in Long Branch, New Jersey. She is the daughter of James and Charlotte Cisneros Conlin, both now deceased. Pat attended Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Long Branch and Red Bank Catholic High School. She met the Sisters of Mercy there, came to know them, their mission and charism, and by the end of her senior year, decided to join them. She entered the community on September 8, 1957, taking the name Sister Mary Teresita at her reception, and professed her vows in 1959.
Sister Pat earned her BA degree in elementary education from Georgian Court College, now University, and taught in elementary schools in Bordentown, Phillipsburg, East Keansburg, Alpha and Metuchen. During her time in Metuchen, she was asked to serve as Assistant Program Director on the Parish Social Concerns Committee. Their mission was based on the belief that Christian unity should be the concern of everyone. Sister Pat thoroughly agreed, saying at the time, "We must all be concerned about all the members of the body, that they are provided with what they need to partake in the life of the parish."
From 1973 on, in every ministry she undertook, that belief was her focus: as a Social Concerns Director in St. Francis, Metuchen and Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield; as a Pastoral Associate in Bradley Beach; and a counselor at Mount Carmel Guild in Jersey City. In the 1990's she was a retreat and spiritual director at the Institute for Psychological Growth in Hazlet, a social worker with Catholic Charities in Metuchen and Red Bank. Her last position was on the professional staff at Aberdeen Counseling Center. Though no longer active in ministry, Sister Pat continued to pray for all those in need, exemplifying the motto in her ring: Always To Please Thee, Jesus.
In November, Sister Pat went to recuperate from a fall at McAuley Hall Health Care Center, Watchung, NJ, where she died at the age of 84.
Sister Pat is predeceased by her brother James Conlin and her nephew John Rolly.
She is survived by her sisters, Mary Ann Nastasia, (James) Maureen Doode and Charlotte Rolly, her nieces and nephews Jim, Kelly, and Lisa, and her dear and faithful friend Nicole DeBonis.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, beginning 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m., at Mount Saint Mary Academy, Immaculate Conception Chapel, 1645 US Highway 22 West, Watchung, NJ. A Welcome Home Service will be held commencing at 10:00 a.m. Her Funeral Mass will commence at 11:00 a.m. after her welcome home service. A burial is scheduled on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 1734 Clinton Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 1645 US Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069. Thank you!
