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Sister Patricia Pak Poy’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated in
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church,
420 Seaview Road, Henley Beach on
FRIDAY, March 6, 2026 commencing at 10:30a.m.
Following refreshments, the Committal Service
will take place in the Catholic Western Ground
of West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.
The Funeral Mass will be broadcast by livestream.
Please use the link provided above.
Sister Patricia died peacefully
on Tuesday 24th February,
aged 90 years.
Pat was a much loved member of the
Sisters of Mercy for 66 years.
She was a great inspiration to so many people and known
for her untiring commitment to Mercy and Social Justice,
particularly for her advocacy for the ban on the use of landmines.
She was an educator, a leader, a visionary,
an advocate and an activist.
Pat was unfailingly gracious.
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Lovingly remembered for her many gifts, her enquiring mind, her loving nature, her brilliant teaching, and her justice work. My gratitude to her for my ongoing love of Chinese poetry.
I am so sorry.
I’m so sorry. When I was working in HIV/AIDS prevention in Myanmar, your support meant so much to me. Because of your help, we were able to reach and support many people in need. I will always be grateful for that. I was very sad when you left. Now I am living in Melbourne, Australia, and I often think about the work we did together and the difference we made. I truly appreciate everything you did.
Patricia Geraldine was the youngest of six children of William and Alberta Pak Poy. She was tiny in stature, but no one would ever consider her coy. She was born in 1935, in Darwin where her father owned a general store, but the family evacuated to Adelaide due to the war. Patricia commenced at St Aloysius College, and although small she stood tall. She became a prefect, a captain, a teacher, a nun and a principal; you could say she heeded the call. Sister Patricia dedicated herself to education, social justice and world peace. She worked tirelessly; her passion and drive did not cease. From homeless women in Adelaide, to refugees in Asia, they all were in her care. She studied, taught, and led, always ending each day in prayer. She fought courageously for human rights, especially for the voiceless, in their often horrendous plights. For education, justice, peace and love were at her core, and Patricia shall be remembered for evermore. Reflecting on Aunty Pat, all the Pak Poy cousins can recall the souvenirs we received from her many travels around the world. Mine were mainly hand made crafts from the refugees: items such as bookmarks, needlework, carry bags and scarves. Aunty Pat gifted me a book which she had edited entitled “A path is made by walking it”. It is a collection of essays on the path to ban landmines. Patricia was the founding National Coordinator of the Australian Network of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. “A path is made by walking it” is an ancient Chinese saying which signifies that there is no pre-determined path in life, but rather that meaning is created through action, persistence and experience. It emphasises initiative and action over inaction. It encourages acceptance of uncertainty, and moving forward despite it. Your choices and actions determine where you go. These principles embodied the life of Aunty Pat. Romayne Louey, daughter of Winifred, and niece of Patricia
RIP Sister Pat. I met you through a resident of Bucklands and you always greeted us in the cafe with the most beautiful smile and heartfelt words. You lit up the area with your presence and made a bad day a whole lot better, you are and will be very sadly missed. xx
Sister Pat was the most generous and dedicated humanitarian that I know. She dedicated her life to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged people while leading a very simple life. It was a great honour and privilege to know her and have worked with her in humanitarian projects in Burma and India.
Maria -
Sr Patricia Pak Poy, who was affectionately known as ‘triple P’ by many girls she guided in her time as principle of SAC. She was a gentle, insightful, wise & bright spirit in this school community. She could name every girl in the school. Quite a feat as there were 600 of us in 1974. She was much loved by many, including myself. Rest in peace dear Sister Patricia 🪽