Sr. Mary Genevieve (Patricia Allen) SBS, 85

Dec. 27, 1937 — Aug. 8, 2023

It is with much sadness that we announce the recent passing of a very special person in our family and in the lives of those who were fortunate to know her. Patricia May Allen was our sister and the daughter of Walter and Hazel Allen. She leaves behind twin brothers, Richard Allen and his wife, Alice, and Roger Allen and his wife, RoseMarie, Walter Allen Jr. and wife, Jane, and a sister Kathy (predeceased) Piroso and her husband, Peter.

After graduating from Laconia High School in 1955, Pat entered novitiate training to become a missionary sister. She chose to enter the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament convent located in Cornwell Heights, Pennsylvania. Their mission was to educate and serve the African American population and Native American Indian tribes throughout the country.

Upon taking the vow of poverty, chastity and obedience, her early years in the convent would take her to several locations in the south and out west to further her education while also serving the needs of the people. The early years went quickly; thus 16 years later, Sr. Genevieve would attend the University of Dayton to complete her master’s degree in guidance and counseling. Unbeknownst to her at the time, it was perquisite training for what would eventually determine her ministry for the next 50 plus years. In 1971, after completing college, she returned to St. Michael’s Indian School in Arizona. At that time, she felt a strong calling from God to change her ministry from teaching to counseling. Fully realizing the critical shortage of sisters to teach, it seemed very unlikely the leadership would grant her request.

Her Motto was: In thee o Lord, I place my trust.

She prayed for guidance and God’s direction as each decision was made. Within a couple of years and as her ministry to the people increased, she was given full approval and a very private setting located near the school, which allowed the ministry to grow. She was eventually joined by other SBS sisters to form a community called The Desert House of Prayer

With the help and prayers of many friends, including our own family and sisters from her own order, the ministry grew very quickly. Our sincere thanks to all who gave freely of their time and support in the early years of the ministry. She was truly blessed by your kindness. We read in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11 that Paul urges his followers to love one another and all of God’s family. He then says make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. Sr. Genevieve’s time in The Desert while caring for others accomplished both.

With the SBS sisters and those who gave so freely of their time and resources, The Desert House of Prayer was a place of unconditional love, quiet rest and spiritual nourishment to all who visited and stayed there. Truly, the gift of hospitality was very evident in the hearts of all who served in her ministry.

Although her commitment to the ministry took her a long distance from our home, she always remained close to her family including, siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins and the growing families of nieces and nephews. They all knew who Aunt Pat was and were always blessed listening to her unique stories, kind and gentle ways, wonderful sense of humor and Godly wisdom. Our many visits with her in The Desert and in our homes were always filled with joy and laughter as we often shared her ministry and our lives together.

Sr. Genevieve (Pat). We love you and thank you for all that you have been to us. You have humbled yourself before God and man and have given your life to serve Him. We can look back today on your long journey and know that everything that love could do was done. The time has come, the last chapter is written, the book is now closed. When you left this world and entered your new life, we all affirm the words you heard from your Lord and Savior were: “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Mathew 25:23

Pat’s final wish was to have a small green funeral and Mass at her retirement home in Pennsylvania. She had the opportunity to visit with all of her family in New Hampshire a few weeks prior to her passing. The final ending of a life well lived. We miss you very much.