A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Margaret Patrice Slattery, CCVI, was celebrated Aug. 2 at the Chapel of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Sister Margaret Patrice died July 27 at The Village at Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She was 98.
She was born in St. Louis on June 19, 1926, to Margaret Mary (Harris) and Patrick J. Slattery. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in 1944, professed first vows in 1947 and perpetual vows in 1952.
Sister Margaret Patrice completed her bachelor’s degree at Incarnate Word College, her master’s at Marquette University and her doctorate at the Catholic University of America. She further pursued post-doctoral studies at the University of Edinburgh.
She taught at St. Frances of Rome School in Illinois, Immaculate Conception School in Missouri and Blessed Sacrament School in St. Louis before arriving at what was then known as Incarnate Word College (now the University of the Incarnate Word). Sister Margaret Patrice held several notable institutional roles at Incarnate Word including teaching in and chairing the English department, serving as the college’s academic dean and serving as president from 1972-85. She then served as chancellor until her retirement. In these positions, Sister Margaret Patrice helped extend the university’s reach through various initiatives, oversaw the development of the campus, allocated funds to offer financial support to students, helped to add numerous undergraduate programs and established UIW’s Swing-In golf tournament fundraiser in 1977 which continues today.
A remarkable scholar, she authored “Promises to Keep,” a two-volume history of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, which received recognition from the Texas Catholic Historical Society for its outstanding contribution.
Sister Margaret Patrice was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret Mary and Patrick J. Slattery; her brother, Msgr. Robert P. Slattery; her sister, Betty O’Brien; and her niece Mary Buchek. She is survived by her nieces Peggy O’Brien and Patricia Dolan, relatives, friends and her community, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.
