Patricia Dora, CSJ
April 9, 1939 - March 16, 2024
Sister Patricia A. Dora (Sister Pauline Marie), a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, Connecticut, died at St. Francis Hospital on March 16, 2024. Born in Stamford, Connecticut on April 9, 1939 to the late Paul Peter Dora and Rose Mary Kmetz Dora, Sister Patricia entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 3, 1957 and celebrated her final Profession of Vows on March 1, 1965. Sister Patricia was 84 years of age and was 66 years in Religious Life.
Sister Patricia received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Diocesan Sisters College, West Hartford, Connecticut, a Master’s Degree in Reading and Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven Connecticut, and a Sixth Year Certificate in Administration and Supervision from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut.
After years of teaching at Elementary Schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford and the Diocese of Bridgeport, in Connecticut, Sister Patricia Dora began her ministry as a Principal at various schools, namely, St. James School, Danielson, Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hartford, and St. Augustine School, Harford, all in Connecticut. On her retirement as principal, Sister Patricia joined the staff at the Intensive Education Academy, West Hartford, Connecticut, as a classroom aide for challenged students. Everyone who was a part of Sister Patricia’s life and ministry knew that she loved children and that she had a special gift of bringing out the best in each one.
Sister Patricia Dora’s competence, positive spirit and approachability, made her well loved by her staff, parents and students. She truly loved education and constantly looked out for the welfare of her faculty and students. She was a sports enthusiast who loyally rooted for UCONN Men and Women, the New York Giants and, especially for her New York Yankees!
Her summers spent at St. Joseph- by-the-Sea in Watch Hill, Rhode Island found her on the tractor mowing the lawn while listening to her favorite music on her headphones. Sister Patricia, never putting herself forward, was a very spiritual and prayerful person. Her fun-loving spirit, kindness, thoughtfulness and love of her family, friends and community were evident throughout her life.
Sister Patricia Dora was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Monsignor Peter Dora, and by her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Rose and Dwight Patton. Sister will be greatly missed by her Religious Community, especially her dear friends, Sisters Theresa Fonti, Maureen Faenza, Jeanne Paulella and Sandra Shaw. Sister leaves behind her nephew, Peter Patton, her niece, Missy Hardy, several grandnieces and one grandnephew, as well as many cousins and good friends.
Relatives and friends may gather to celebrate her life on Thursday, March 21, at the Sisters of St. Joseph Provincial House Chapel, 27 Park Road, West Hartford, CT for a Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 a.m. with a wake from 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Burial will follow at the Sisters of St Joseph Cemetery on Ringgold Street in West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a memorial donation to the Sisters of St. Joseph, c/o of Office of Mission Advancement, 650 Willard Ave., Newington, CT 06111. Fisette-Batzner Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington has care of arrangements.