Sr. Patricia Chaffee

Sister Patricia Chaffee, O.P., 88, passed away at Siena Center, on Thursday August 6th, 2026.

Patricia Ann was born December 26, 1937 to Henry Chaffee and Marie Chaffee (nee: Huettorn) in Racine, WI. On September 10, 1954 she joined the Racine Dominicans and at her reception in 1955 she was given the religious name Sister Henry Marie. She professed her first vows in 1957 and her final vows in 1963. In 1968 she returned to using her baptismal name, Patricia.

Sister Pat spent many years in service to others in teaching, technical writing, community service, and advocacy. She was an advocate for peace and justice for all and joined several efforts to serve the poor and those targeted by oppressive governments. She began her ministry in 1958 at SS. Peter & Paul in Green Bay, WI. Other places in Wisconsin where she served were St. Mary, Janesville; St. Bernard, Madison; St. Catherine’s High School, Racine; St. John, Little Chute; Gateway Technical Institute, Racine; MATC – South Campus, Oak Creek; Carthage College, Kenosha; Siena Center, Racine; and Racine Literacy Council, Racine. She also served in Indiana, Maryland, Virginia, Michigan, California, Mississippi, New York, Arkansas, Missouri, and El Salvador. She was a resident at Siena Center and most recently was working on the Community History writing project. She was a prolific writer of poetry all her life.

Sister Pat is survived by the Racine Dominican Sisters and Associates; her brother Thomas Chaffee (Gayle), and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, and her brothers Charles Chaffee (Jackie), and Raymond Chaffee (Ellen).

A Remembering Service will be at Monday August 17th, 2026 at 8:45 am followed by a Funeral Service at 10 am in the Siena Center Chapel, 5635 Erie Street and subsequent burial at Holy Cross Cemetery Hwy 32. Memorials to the Racine Dominican Mission Outreach have been suggested.

The Racine Dominicans would like to extend their thanks to the Supportive Living and Hospice Alliance staff who cared for Sister Pat at Siena Center.