Sister Maria Fitzpatrick, O.P
Born January 26, 1919
Professed -- august 15, 1941
Born to Eternal Life on May 12, 2009
Agnes Fitzpatrick was born in Greeley, Nebraska on January 26, 1919, to Margaret Kinsella Fitzpatrick and John J. Fitzpatrick. Of her nine siblings, Marjorie, Hugh, Francis, Charles, Eulalia, Thomas, and the twins Paul and Pauline, she is survived only by Pauline (Sr. Mary Agnes).
She attended Sacred Heart School in Greeley for twelve years. After graduation in 1936, she worked for the Federal Government for three years.
On February 2, 1940, she entered St. Catharine Novitiate and received the name Sister Maria.
After her first profession on August 15, 1941, she studied at St. Catharine College until 1942, when she went to Nebraska where she taught at St. James School, Kearney, and St. Anthony School, Cedar Rapids.
In 1950 she returned to Kentucky as teacher and principal at the newly opened St. Stephen Martyr School in Louisville. After six years there, she began her years of teaching at the high schools in Nebraska: Central Catholic High, Grand Island; Pius X High, Lincoln; St. Cecilia High, Hastings; and Kearney Catholic High, Kearney. She was also principal in the latter two schools.
In 1981, Sister Maria became a student/intern in the Pastoral Care Program at St. Joseph Hospital/Creighton University in Omaha. After receiving her certification from the National Catholic Chaplains’ Association she served as chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital, Omaha and St. Joseph Hospital, Concordia, Kansas.
Maria returned to Kentucky in 1984, where she ministered in various capacities as coordinator at Sansbury Care Center, English teacher at the college and Plant Manager at the Motherhouse. She retired from full-time ministry in 1994 and moved to Sansbury Care Center in 2008.
Sister Maria lived her life
in superlatives. Whether it was swimming, bike riding, fishing, tennis,
ping-pong or billiards, she put her heart and soul into the activity. She also
embraced reading, travel, and study with the same enthusiasm. She visited 41 of
the United States and 14 foreign countries.
She attributed her appreciation for poetry, literature, and drama to her mother and grandfather. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from Siena College and a Master’s degree in English-Education from Creighton University. In her later years, Sr. Maria combined her love of travel and of literature by attending nine Elderhostels in nine states.
In the classroom her enthusiasm extended beyond the subject matter to the students themselves. This is reflected in an essay written by one of her pupils for a religion class, “She (Sr. Maria) has devoted her life to Jesus’ way of life through her kindness, devotion, generosity, and most of all love for others.”
Maria lived the life she wished for her pupils. In an interview at Pius X School she said, “I should like to encourage my students to be the persons God intended them to be, living life more abundantly, full of love, hope, and joy.”
Remember us now, Maria, as you experience that perfect love and joy with your God, your Community, and your family.
To read about other Dominican Sisters of Peace who have died click the sister's name.
Sr. M. Barbara Freisen, OP born to eternal life on May 11, 2009
Sister Mary McSweeney, OP born to eternal life on April 30, 2009
Sylvia Ann Gattas, OPA born into eternal life on April 17, 2009
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