Sister Patricia Ruth Pilarski was known for her creative educational programming and innovative teaching style at Catholic schools and parishes.
"She spent her life as an educator trying to relate to people, where they were. She was known for it and was greatly respected because of it," said Sister Catherine Fedewa, a friend of Sister Pilarski for 35 years.
Sister Pilarski, of Ross, died Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at the Vincentian Regency Nursing Home in McCandless. She had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage last month. Sister Pilarski was 80.
Sister Pilarski grew up in Polish Hill and entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on May 11, 1941. She was in her junior year of high school.
She graduated from Duquesne University in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in music. About 10 years later, she received a master's degree in drama from Marquette University in Milwaukee.
As an educator, Sister Pilarski taught the primary grades at Sts. Cyril and Methodius School in McKees Rocks, St. Stanislaus School in Erie and Our Lady of Czestechowa in Cleveland, Ohio, and at other elementary and high schools until 1969.
Sister Fedewa, treasurer for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, said most of Sister Pilarski's teaching career was in music and theater arts.
"There were quite a few people who developed a love of music because of her," Sister Fedewa said. "She was able to bring out the best in people -- even if they didn't know they had talent, when she got through with them they knew they were talented."
Sister Fedewa said Sister Pilarski was encouraging and supportive to the young and old.
"She brought out the potential in a person and helped them find their gift -- including me," Sister Fedewa said. "She made me realize that there was a lot more in me than I thought there was."
From 1969-86, Sister Pilarski served as religious education coordinator for local parishes, including St. Joan of Arc, South Park; Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Meadow Lands, Washington County, and Holy Spirit Parish, West Mifflin.
In September 2002, Sister Pilarski retired to Holy Family Manor.
"The biggest thing she taught me in life was that you could never love too much, and that's what she showed people," Sister Fedewa said.
Sister Pilarski is survived by two brothers, Leonard and Gene Pilarski.
A funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Mt. Nazareth Center, 285 Bellevue Road, Ross.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Development Office of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, 285 Bellevue Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15229.
