Sister Patricia Dearbaugh, IHM, died Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at the IHM Senior Living Community, where she was recently admitted to hospice care.
Patricia Ann was born January 24, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Charles and Irene (King) Dearbaugh. She attended McKinley Junior High School and Lincoln High School in Wyandotte. As a high school student, she was granted her wish to attend Catholic school and graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grosse Pointe. Pat went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Michigan State University and was certified as a professional teacher.
Pat taught in the Grand Rapids, Michigan school system for 30-plus years and was well regarded by her colleagues as an “excellent teacher.” She was an active member of St. Alphonsus Parish Community, where she applied her professional gifts to parish ministries.
Throughout her young life and college years, Pat was drawn to the Catholic faith and identified with many Catholic activities and fellow students. She converted to the faith in 1964 and later pursued a call to religious life. At age 51, she left her profession and home in Grand Rapids and entered the Congregation of Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, in 1992.
Growing into the IHM community, she sought education in Clinical Pastoral Education through Beaumont Hospital which led her to work in Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend. She lived with the local IHM community there until her work ended in 2005. Transition time followed in San Antonio and in residence in Monroe (2006).
Living in the Senior Living Community, Sr. Pat maintained many old and new friendships and was known throughout campus for her bright personality. She served in the community’s Congregational Business Office and Library, engaging sisters and staff alike.
Sr. Pat is survived by her sister Mary Jo Reinholz, her sisters of the IHM community and many good friends. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Charles Dearbaugh.
Read Sister Pat’s Remembering here.