The daughter of the late Patrick Joseph and Rose Smith Clark, she was born October 10, 1911 in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Sister Rose Patricia entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh on September 7, 1930, made her First Profession June 24, 1932, and Final Profession August 20, 1938 Sister Rose Patricia earned her BS in elementary education from Villanova and her MA in Religion and Guidance from Providence College.

Ministry history:

Sister Rose Patricia, currently retired from active ministry, has enjoyed many years of service in the field of education. She taught at Saint Thomas Elementary School in Pleasantville NY from 1933 to 1938, Saint Thomas Elementary School in Cornwall NY from 1938 to 1941, Saint Augustine School in Larchmont NY from 1941-44, and Annunciation School in Crestwood, NY, where she was also principal from 1953-59. From 1959-60, she was assistant principal at Saint Cecilia School in Iselin NJ. In 1960, Sister Rose Patricia was appointed postulant mistress, a role she held until 1965, when she was elected to the General Council of the Congregation. She was also administrator of Mount Saint Mary Complex from 1965-71. Upon completing her term in 1971 she began ministry with the Center for Developmental Learning & Reading in Newburgh NY. In 1976, she became a teacher assistant at Bishop Dunn memorial School in Newburgh. From 1978 to 1991, she served as an assistant in the finance office of the Congregation. From 1991 to 1995, she volunteered her services in the development office. Sister retired from active ministry in 1995 and moved to Siena Hall Infirmary in Newburgh in 1996.