(1940-2018)

Patricia Craft was born on August 15, 1940, in Elgin, Illinois. She was the daughter of Ruth Eleanor Nelson Miller and Francis Joseph Miller. She had one sister, Sister Joella Miller, OP.

The Miller family moved often when Pat was young, to Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. Both parents were very devout Catholics. Very close siblings, Pat and Joella used to play church together, using Necco Wafers as “hosts.” When Sister Joella entered the Adrian Dominican Congregation, Pat missed her very much. 

Pat met her husband, Richard (Dick), in college and described him as her “knight in shining armor.” They were married in St. Laurence Church in Elgin on September 17, 1960, and had six children: Mary Sue, Ricky, Joe, Billy, Christopher, and David. They also had 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Dedicated to her family, Pat was fulfilled through her marriage and her children. She made sure that they attended Mass and prayed at every meal.

Pat wrote that she chose to become an Associate because of her desire to “grow in my spiritual life and to become closer to God. I wish to be part of the Dominican family in a new and special way.” Pat was friendly and always eager to serve.

“I feel like I have been associated with the Adrian Dominican Sisters for over 50 years,” Pat said during her Ritual of Commitment. “I want to be an Associate as I have so many caring and loving friends that are Dominicans. I want to feel the joy of God’s love that they all share. I want to share my love of God with everyone I come into contact with.”

Pat had to endure the death of her youngest child, David, on August 24, 2014. This was a very difficult time for her.

Pat was a breast cancer survivor, but a recurrence of cancer led to her death on January 10, 2018.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. 

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