Posted June 10, 2013

Sister M. K. Patricia Spingler, I.H.M., formerly Sister Patricia Marian, I.H.M., died in Camilla Hall, Immaculata, on June 3 in the 53^rd year of her religious life. She was 71 years old.

Born in Philadelphia, Sister Patricia entered the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1960 from St. Kevin Parish in Springfield, and professed her first vows in 1963. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Immacualta University, a Master of Arts from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and a Doctor of Education from Immaculata University.

Sister Patricia taught in the following schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: St. Dominic, St. Rose of Lima, Eddystone, St. Anastasia, Newtown Square, St. Charles, Bensalem and St. Philomena, Lansdowne.

In 1983 she was appointed as regional director for the Bucks County Area in the archdiocesan Office for Catholic Education. She was responsible for training and provided assistance to educators and promoting awareness of the value of Catholic Schools within the Archdiocese. From 1990 to 2000 she served as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Sister Patricia began by establishing marketing committees in elementary, secondary and special education schools. She worked closely with BLOCS to provide financial assistance to students in need.

Sister Patricia was responsible for initiating and organizing the Archdiocesan Hall of Fame and inducting distinguished graduates of Catholic schools into it. Sister Patricia was inducted into the Hall of Fame before leaving OCE. In 2000 she was assigned to Villa Maria Academy, Malvern, where she was vice principal for advancement for 13 years. In August 2012, because of illness, Sister Patricia was assigned to Camilla Hall.  Her ministry there was the apostolate of prayer.

The funeral Mass was celebrated June 7 at Camilla Hall. Bishop Michael F. Burbridge was the celebrant. Father Francis E. Kelly was the homilist.  Concelebrants included the Right Rev. Richard Antonucci, O.Praem.; Msgrs. James J. Howard, Richard Skelly and William J.J. O’Donnell; and  Fathers Harry J. Erdlen, O.S.A., James R. Flynn, O.S.A., Joseph A. Jordan, O.S.A., William Trader and Thomas Higgins. Interment followed in the Immaculata Cemetery.

In addition to the members of her religious community, Sister Patricia is survived by her sister, Bernadette (Raymond) Baraldi and her brother, Albert Spingler and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and a cousin, Sister Rose Anthony Spingler, I.H.M.

She was predeceased by her parents, Albert and Patricia Greeley Spingler.