Sister Reordan

Sr Patricia Reordan RSM was one of Mater’s most loved Sisters of Mercy.

Sr Pat, as she was affectionately known, was for many years the Senior Scientist in Haematology, at the Mater Adult Hospital Laboratory. It was here, in the early years, that she was known as Sr M Athanasius, or ‘Atho’ to her staff.

Sr Pat established a department that was both efficient and happy. However, she was not only a Medical Laboratory Scientist, she was also a Sister of Mercy. In the tradition of Catherine McAuley she was merciful, realistic, and practical in response to need in the public hospital, in seedy South Brisbane.

Not only was Sr Pat the Senior Scientist, she was also a friend to her staff and she opened opportunities for them. She expected personal and scientific integrity, the best work, the highest standards, and stringent organisation – Sr Pat provided the leadership, and with affection and energy, her staff followed her example.

Sr Pat’s former staff remember her personality, her dependability, loyalty, cheery generosity, stringent standards of laboratory practice, and her real interest in people – both patients and staff alike. They remember that, especially in times of chaos, there was a sort of relief when Sr Pat appeared on the scene, because she took over, got things organised, and got things done.

There is something in the Gospels about bearing one another’s burdens, and there is something else about the Lord loving the cheerful giver. It’s one thing to quote these texts, but it is the real thing to live them. Sr Pat did.

May her soul rest in peace and joy.

Written by Sr Regis Mary Dunne RSM