By William A. Weathers
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DELHI TWP. - Sister of Charity Patricia Ann Ward, a longtime teacher and principal and former executive housekeeper at the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati's Motherhouse in Delhi Township, died Sept. 15 at Mother Margaret Hall nursing home.

"She had a very generous heart. I'm not sure everyone knew all the things she did," said Sister Mary Kathryn McFerrin, who lived and worked with Sister Patricia Ann in Mount Clemens, Mich. in the early 1960s.

"She was always offering her time to people,'' she added. "She always took me to see my family. She was a Sister-companion at Mother Margaret Hall. She was a home economics teacher, so everyone on mission with her learned to cook."

Sister Patricia Ann, 74, was a native of Piqua and had been a Sister of Charity for 57 years.

Sister Patricia Ann earned a bachelor's degree in English from the College of Mount St. Joseph and a master's degree in home economics from St. Louis University. She served in education for 40 years.

She taught at schools in Michigan and Ohio, including St. Rose in Lima, Ohio (1955-60); Catholic Central in Springfield, Ohio (1966-74); St. Bernard, also in Springfield (1974-76); and Lehman in Sidney, Ohio (1976-1981).

Sister Patricia Ann also was a principal, first at Holy Angels in Sidney from 1981-87, then at Piqua Catholic from 1990-91.

From 1987-89, Sister Patricia Ann was executive housekeeper at the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati's Motherhouse. From 1989-90, she was custodial supervisor at the College of Mount St. Joseph. In 1991, she returned to the Congregation's Motherhouse as administrator of support services, a position she held until her retirement in 1996.

In 1991, Sister Patricia Ann was recognized by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for her years of service as an educator.

"I see my work as that of an enabler, helping teachers and students to do their best and develop their God-given talents," she said in 1984.

Sister Patricia Ann is survived by a brother, Alfred J. Ward Jr. of Mansfield; and many nieces and nephews.

Services have been held. Burial will be in the Motherhouse cemetery.

Memorials can be made in Sister Patricia Ann Ward's name to Holy Angels School, 120 E. Water St., Sidney, OH 45365; or the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati Employees Emergency Fund, 5900 Delhi Road, Mount St. Joseph, OH 45051.

E-mail bweathers@enquirer.com