Sister Patricia began her three-year training to be a Registered Nurse. This took place at St. Joseph's Hospital in Peterborough. She graduated in 1965 and spent her first year in charge of the Infirmary at Mount St. Joseph. At the end of one year, Sister Patricia was assigned to nursing duties at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan, Saskatchewan. This was the first of three 3-year assignments. Estevan was followed by Parry Sound Hospital for three years and then back to St. Joseph's in Peterborough for another three.
She returned to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Estevan in 1976 as Sister Hope and for the next ten years worked as Head Nurse and Supervisor. At the end of that time a well-deserved change was in store. Sister Hope had the opportunity to spend a year in Maynooth, Ireland. She studied while there and received her diploma in Scripture and Theology. She returned to Estevan for a year and then moved back east to Peterborough where she lived at the Mount for two years and was local leader.
In September of 1990 Sister Hope took up residence in Ottawa and attended St. Paul's University where she took theology studies. This was followed by part-time nursing at St. Vincent's Hospital. Her C.P.E. course was taken at Civic Hospital in Ottawa. She served as a volunteer at St. Vincent's Hospital and Bronson Centre. In addition to volunteer work, Sister Hope worked from Central Health services doing Private Duty Nursing. Support from her Community on Rosewood Ave. and her variety of interesting works encouraged Sister Hope in all her endeavours. As she herself stated: "I thank God every day for my Community and my ministries here in Ottawa."
In 2014 Sister Hope returned to the Mount and assisted at reception when needed, in thoughtful prayer and reflection, bringing joy and hope to those around her.
Sister Hope will be remembered for caring for the sick and needy. She loved everything Irish and made good use of the play upon her name Hope. She will be joyfully reunited in spirit with her twin brother whom she dearly missed in this life.