School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia (Mary Benedict) Ostdick, 90, died Dec. 6 at Resurrection Life Center after a long struggle with COVID-19.

Born in Elgin, she entered the candidature of Schools Sisters of Notre Dame in Milwaukee in 1947, professing first vows in 1950 and final vows in 1956. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s of pastoral studies in communication arts.

From 1950 to 1968, she taught primary grades in Illinois and Wisconsin, including at St. Michael, St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Alphonsus Schools in Chicago.

She then taught at the intermediate and secondary levels and served as local leader for her community at St. Michael, Chicago. She taught college in Maryland before returning to Chicago in 1983 and teaching intermediate grades at St. Stanislaus Kostka; St. Domitilla, Hillside; and St. Procopius. 

From 1993 to 2005, Sister Pat served as community leader and patient advocate for elderly sisters at St. Benedict and at St. Joseph’s Home for the Aged.

She retired to St. Pius X, Stickney, in 2001, and to the Academy of Our Lady Convent in 2004. In 2005, she moved to retirement at Marian Village in Homer Glen and in 2011 to Resurrection Life Center.