Sister Patricia Melley CSJ (formerly Sister Mary Patriciana), a Sister of St. Joseph for 77 years, died on Nov. 5. “Pat” grew up in Brooklyn with her brother Stephen and sisters Rose, Muriel; Sister Stephen Maura, CSJ; and Sheila. After graduating from St. Teresa of Avila elementary school, she attended Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School and, in 1948, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, New York.
Given the name Sister Mary Patriciana, she embarked upon a teaching mission which brought her to Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Victory (Floral Park), St. Anthony of Padua, Most Precious Blood, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and St. Frances de Chantal. Sister Patriciana’s daily life of prayer and service led her to share her deep faith not only with the children in the parish schools but also in the religious education programs and in the daily encounters with parishioners and neighbors.
Her love of learning, particularly in history, led her to earn a BA cum laude from St. Francis College, an MA from Villanova University, and NYS Certification in Social Studies. In 1970, Sister Patricia joined the social studies department of the Academy of St. Joseph and, for the next 55 years, was at home in St. Joseph Convent.
In her passion for teaching, she brought history to life for the academy students for 30 years.
On Nov. 12, the Melleys, Sisters of St. Joseph, the healthcare staff of the Convent, former colleagues, and students joined in celebrating Sister Patricia’s long life of loving, prayerful, dedicated service at a Mass of Christian Burial presided over by Father Sean Gann. Burial followed at Calvary Cemetery on the Brentwood campus.
Sister Theresa Anne Gallagher was called home by the God she loved and served so well on Nov. 22. Sister Terry was 72 years old and had been an Amityville Dominican for 50 years.
In 1953, while our nation celebrated the 4th of July, Frederick and Margaret (Brennan) Gallagher celebrated the birth of their identical twin daughters, Margaret and Theresa, affectionately known as Peggy and Terry. Not too long after the twins, they had a boy, Michael. They resided in St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Astoria, where the children attended the parish school.
Upon graduation from Mater Christi High School, Sister Terry attended Herman H. Lehman College in the Bronx, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. She enjoyed vacations in Lake George with her sister Peggy.
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was another favorite spot because of all of the outlet stores, which they enjoyed.
On Aug. 3, 1975, Sister Terry entered the Congregation of the Holy Cross, the Sisters of St Dominic in Amityville. She spent her postulant year at the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Convent in Roosevelt and taught in the parish school.
Sister Terry and her set spent their novice year at Holy Family Diocesan High School’s upstairs convent in South Huntington, New York, since the Formation Wing in the St. Albert building was not yet completed. Aug. 14, 1977, was Profession Day for these itinerant novices. Sister Terry then taught at the elementary level at St. Hugh of Lincoln School in Huntington Station and again at Roosevelt, where it was lovingly called “the Queen.”
Sister Terry attended Iona College in New Rochelle, where she earned a Master of Science in computer education and a Master of Computer Science. These degrees prepared her for her ministry at Dominican Commercial High School in Jamaica, Queens, and St. John the Baptist High School in West Islip.
Her last ministry was as wellness advocate for the resident sisters at the Motherhouse.
Our beloved Sister Terry was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother, and dear friend Sister Liz Stringer.
The wake and Mass of Christian Burial were celebrated on Nov. 25 in St. Albert Chapel in Amityville. Interment was in St. Dominic Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds immediately afterwards.
Father Kevin Mackin, OFM, died on Nov. 15 at the age of 87.
Father Kevin was born April 5, 1938, in Brooklyn, to Irish parents Martin and Margaret (née Walsh). He attended Good Shepherd in Brooklyn and St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, New York.
He was received into the Order of Friars Minor on July 14, 1957, at St. Raphael Novitiate in Lafayette, New Jersey, and professed first vows there one year later.
He made his solemn profession on Aug. 22, 1961, and was ordained Feb. 22, 1964.
The funeral Mass was celebrated on Nov. 22 at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Butler, New Jersey. He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey.