In Memory of Sr. Patricia Pelletier, DW, Sister Evelyn of the Child Jesus, 62 Years Professed

Sr. Patricia Pelletier, DW (Sister Evelyn of the Child Jesus), 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent in Sound Beach, NY, surrounded by her sister, Dora, her fellow Sisters in community, and the staff during her final moments. She was 62 years professed

Sr. Patricia was born on July 30, 1943, in Eagle Lake, Maine, to parents Camille and Eveline Therriault Pelletier. Her parish at entrance was St. Mary's in Eagle Lake, Maine, and she made her First Profession of Vows on August 2, 1963.

After graduating from Notre Dame de la Sagesse in St. Agatha, Maine, in 1961, she entered the Novitiate in Litchfield, Connecticut, and attended Seat of Wisdom College from 1961 to 1967. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, focusing on Nursery through Grade 6, and completed her student teaching at Gate of Heaven in Ozone Park, NY. Sr. Patricia's first ministry was as a teacher and residential counselor at Maryhaven School for Exceptional Children in Port Jefferson, NY, from 1967 to 1978, a ministry that held a very special place in her heart. When asked about it, she lovingly remarked, "When I was at Maryhaven, one of the Sisters there told me that this ministry would be a part of our lives forever, and she turned out to be right. It was a school for special children, and it became special for us as well. They made a significant difference in my life, and I hope I did the same for theirs."

From 1978 to 1981, Sr. Patricia served as a third-grade teacher at St. Camillus Elementary School in Springfield, MD. From there, she was off to Colorado, where she served as the Head Start Director for Center Head Start in Center, Colorado, from 1981 to 1984, helping to ensure that young children from economically disadvantaged families were prepared for Kindergarten. From 1984 to 1986, she worked as the Coordinator of Education Resources and the Director of Bilingual/Multicultural Education at Longmont Head Start in Longmont, Colorado. She prepared for this role by completing an Intensive Spanish course in San Antonio, Texas, and Mexico City, Mexico. From 1987 to 1999, she served as Office and Building Manager for the Outreach Unlimited Resource Center (O.U.R. Center) in Longmont, Colorado.

In 1999, Sr. Patricia returned to Long Island to serve as the Provincial Treasurer for the Daughters of Wisdom in Islip, NY. For eight years, she dedicated her outstanding skills and gentle demeanor to supporting her community of Sisters. In 2008, she moved on to serve in the Children and Family Center as an administrative assistant at Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson, NY. In 2009, she was recognized for her impactful and compassionate care and presence in her work with Hope House Ministries' St. Louis de Montfort Academy, where she supported and accompanied a child receiving services there.

From 2009 to 2011, Sister studied Clinical Pastoral Education at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Sayville, NY, St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, NY, and St. Joseph Hospital in Bethpage, NY. In 2011, Sr. Patricia was asked by the Director of Pastoral Care for Catholic Health Services of Long Island, along wth two other chaplains, to establish a Pastoral Care Department at St. Joseph Hospital in Bethpage, NY. This experience led her to a position in 2012 at Good Shepherd Hospice, Port Jefferson, NY. "In this ministry, I worked as a chaplain, assisting hospice patients and those at the end of their lives. I felt blessed," she said. Sister continued in this ministry until 2016.

In her retirement years, Sr. Patricia focused on volunteering her time and expertise and served on the committee to prepare the annual Jubilee celebration for Sisters and Associates, supported the annual fundraiser "Rock Out Hunger," to support Church food pantries in Islip, NY, and served in the Opening Word program in Huntington Station, NY, teaching English as a Second Language.

She became a listening ear and a presence to Sisters at Maria Regina Residential Center in Brentwood, NY, where she routinely visited and participated in special celebration Masses with them.

While residing at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent, she served as a companion, providing transportation for shopping, trips to the library, and entertainment for the retired Sisters for as long as she was able to drive. While at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Convent in Sound Beach, NY, she expressed enjoying her peaceful prayer time and her gratitude for the Sisters in the community who have blessed her life.

At her 60th Jubilee two years ago, Sr. Patricia reflected on her many years of religious life and said, "The greatest gift I've received has been the people I've met and the students I've had the privilege to work with in the many different ministries throughout my career."

Sister was predeceased by her parents, Camille and Eveline Theriault Pelletier, and her sibling, Dan Pelletier. She is survived by her siblings: Muriel De Burra, Maurice (Rina) Pelletier, Linda Mae Pelletier, Emery (Cindy) Pelletier, Rachel (Mike) Gallant, Chuck (Pam) Pelletier, and Dora Winslow, along with her beloved nieces and nephews.

Sister will be greatly missed by her family, friends, the Daughters of Wisdom, and all those she accompanied on life's journey. Donations in her memory can be made to

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