Patsy Ruth Papania

Patsy Ruth Papania, 81, of Orange, passed away on October 30, 2021 in Orange.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 5, 2021, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Father Sinclair Oubre. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.

A vigil will begin at 8:00 a.m., Friday, November 5, 2021, with visitation to begin at 9:00 a.m., at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orange.

Born in Orange, Texas, on October 5, 1940, she was the daughter of Angelo Papania and Lucille (Lillie) Lester Papania. She attended St. Mary’s School in Orange and then became a Dominican Sister for 7 years. Patsy taught school in the Bahamas for two years. She was a case worker for abuse and neglected children. Patsy was a member of the Golden Triangle AIDS and took care of her late brother and would go on to turn his home into a hospice care facility named Hamlet that specialized in AIDS care. She was a liturgy director at St. Francis Catholic Community. Patsy was also a board member of Habitat for Humanity and family selection committee, and Friends Helping Friends, as well as a regular volunteer. In addition, she also volunteered for Shangri La. Patsy’s favorite memory was carrying the Olympic Torch. The most unique thing about her was her 25-pound cat Noah. A piece of advice she carried near and dear to her heart was to help others learn how to love greater. She loved to travel and spend time with her dear friends. Patsy left her mark in the world in so many positive ways and will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Angelo and Lucille Papania; grandparents, Lucas and Concepcion Papania and Robert and Mary Ann (Mamie) McKinley Lester; and brother, Robert Leo “Bob” Papania.

She is survived by her Goddaughter, Mary Angelina Dodson and her daughter, Ayla Alexandria Dodson-Hestand.

Serving as pallbearers will be the members of the Knights of Columbus Council 13825 of the St. Francis Catholic Community.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to KeKe Fairchild and the staff at KeKe’s Place for the loving care they provided Patsy.