Sister Patricia Galhouse, BVM (Casia)
Sister Patricia Galhouse, BVM (Casia), 88, died June 30, 2014, at Marian Hall in Dubuque, Iowa. Visitation of the cremated remains will be from 10–11 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2014, in the Marian Hall Chapel followed by a funeral liturgy at 11 a.m. Burial is in the Mount Carmel cemetery.
She was born Feb. 12, 1926, to Charles and Anna Marie Luke Galhouse. She entered the BVM congregation from St. Rita Parish, Chicago, on Sept. 8, 1944. She professed first vows on March 19, 1947, and final vows on Aug. 15, 1952.
Sister Patricia was an elementary school teacher and principal in Davenport, Clinton, Cedar Falls, Iowa City, Tama and Dubuque, Iowa; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Mountlake Terrace, Wash.; Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee; and Los Angeles. She served as librarian in West Hempstead, N.Y.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Rita Gladys Galhouse and a brother Clifford Charles Galhouse. She is survived by nephews and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 69 years.
Sister Patricia Galhouse, BVM (Casia)
Funeral Welcome
Marian Hall, July 3, 2014
Good morning and welcome to the celebration of life of our Sister Patricia Galhouse.
“Will you come and follow me if I but call your name? Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?” Last Monday while the 11:15 Mass was beginning, Pat was in bed, her eyes closed. As the lyrics from “The Summons” drifted into her room from a television across the hall, Pat opened her eyes wide. Soon after the song ended, God summoned her home. “Will you let my love be shown; will you let my name be known; will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?” Throughout her life, Pat’s resounding reply was “Yes!”
Patricia Germaine Galhouse was born on Feb. 12, 1926, in Chicago, Ill., the youngest child of Charles and Anna Marie Luke Galhouse. She joined a sister Rita and a brother Clifford. Pat graduated from St. Mary High School and worked for two months as a clerk and typist.
On her application for admission, Pat wrote, “I want to become a Sister so that I can teach others to know, love, and serve God and to help make this a better world to live in.” Pat entered the congregation on Sept. 8, 1944, and received the name Casia upon her reception on March 19, 1945. She professed her first vows on March 19, 1947, and lived 69 years as a BVM.
Pat was an elementary educator for 37 years, teaching in Davenport, Clinton, Cedar Falls, Iowa City and Dubuque, Iowa; Chattanooga, Tenn.; Kansas City, Mo.; Milwaukee; and Los Angeles. Always willing to take on a new challenge, Patricia, along with Sister Donard Collins, BVM and Sister Kathryn Marie (Mary of the Divine Heart) Reynolds opened the St. Pius X mission in Mountlake Terrace, Wash., where the school consisted of several small structures. Pat also served as principal at St. Vincent in Kansas City, St. Mary/St. Patrick in Tama, Iowa; and St. Patrick in Dubuque. She was librarian at St. Thomas the Apostle in West Hempstead, N.Y. She moved to back to Dubuque in 1988 and volunteered as a Marian Hall driver until moving to Mount Carmel in 1992.
Pat was a private person who didn’t care for much fuss. She also was a hard worker who was well-organized, highly motivated, and open-minded. She was very amicable and willingly moved from mission to mission, and even room to room here at Mount Carmel, to accommodate another’s need or desire.
Pat had an endearing quality and a giving heart that was quick to respond to every request. As a volunteer, she took special care of a sister’s personal belongings after death. As a true friend, she was loyal, caring and faithful through thick and thin, illness and health. She always remembered people on holidays and special occasions, especially birthdays. And as an aunt, she was thrilled to have reconnected with her family—her nephews and their wives.
Pat was enthusiastic and energetic. She loved to dance and was, in fact, trained in dance before entering the community. She relished food, especially fruit and nut granola bars. Pat enjoyed traveling, which included trips down the west coast and to Alaska. She appreciated being in Schola as long as she had the breath to do so. Pat had a delightful sense of humor and a knack for giving a one-word response well worth a chuckle. And as many of you know, she loved to gamble and treasured her overnight trips to a Tama casino.
However, above all her earthly “loves,” she loved God and taught others about the importance of prayer. Prayer came first—before any enjoyment, before every act of kindness. In Micah, the people ask, “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow before God most high?” With her life centered by prayer, Pat knew what was expected of her: “Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with . . . God.” We rejoice for Pat as she enters eternal life and lays before God her gift of a life filled with service and love.