(1938-2024)

I would suggest that Pat recognized the Divine in all she encountered, whether the deer gathered around the bird feeder in the yard, her family, or the neighbors she knew and loved in Shelbyville. Although her death came as such a shock to all of us who will miss her loving and caring presence in this life, we trust that nothing will separate us from the love of God or the love that Pat shared with all she encountered.

Sister Maureen O’Connell shared these words as part of the funeral homily for her friend Sister Pat Reno. Sister Pat’s death on April 5, 2024, at a hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, stunned everyone who knew her, including staff and clients at the Centro Latino, the organization in Shelbyville, Kentucky, where she served as executive director.

Patricia Ann Reno, born on January 21, 1938, in Detroit, was the oldest child of William and Madeline (LeGere) Reno. The couple had eight children in all; Pat had four sisters (Kathleen; Marilyn, later known as Madeline; Molly; and Teresa) and three brothers (Michael, William, and Dennis). Marilyn followed Pat into the Congregation in 1963, taking the religious name Sister Mary Madeline. She withdrew in 1976 and chose to keep the name Madeline.

Pat’s first four years of school were spent at St. Agnes School, followed by two years at Visitation School where she met the Adrian Dominican Sisters for the first time. She then attended St. Mary Academy in Monroe, Michigan, for a year, and completed her elementary education back at Visitation.

Even at a very young age, her sense of fairness and desire to make things better for other people seems to have been quite well-developed. According to a story her sister Molly told at the memorial service for Sister Pat held at the Church of the Annunciation in Shelbyville when Pat was just ten years old and about to welcome a new sibling into the world, she decided the house was too small for so many children and that she, as the oldest, needed to leave to make room for the new baby. And so, she convinced a friend to join her in moving to Canada and getting jobs to support themselves.

Read more about Sister Pat (PDF)

Memorial gifts may be made to Centro Latino, 120 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065 or Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

Enjoy this video of Sister Pat Reno at her ministry in Shelbyville, Kentucky. 
 

Vigil and Funeral Recordings

Recording of Sister Pat's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video and choosing "save video as." Worship Aid (PDF)

Recording of Sister Pat's Rite of Remembrance - After clicking the link, download the recording by right-clicking on the video and choosing "save video as."

Leave your comments and remembrances (if you don't see the comment box below, click on the "Read More" link).