Fitzgerald, CSJ, Mary
Sister Mary Fitzgerald (Sister Teresa Agnes), a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambery, West Hartford, CT died at the Provincial House in West Hartford on February 10, 2023. Born in Hartford, CT on August 30, 1920 of the late James J. Fitzgerald and Ellen (Nellie) B. Walsh Fitzgerald, Sister Mary entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on October 2, 1941 and celebrated her Profession of Vows on August 23, 1947. She was 102 years old and had been in religious life for 81 years.
Sister Mary, a Registered Nurse graduate from St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Diocesan Sisters College, West Hartford, CT, a Diploma in Hospital Administration from Rathmines Technical College, Dublin, Ireland and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut.
Sister Mary’s ministries included hospital work at St. Joseph Hospital, Stamford, CT, St. Mary Hospital, Waterbury, CT and St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT. Sister Mary also served as a Nurse and in Administration at St. Joseph Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, as well as in community organizing at a Community Center in Waterford City, Ireland, where she worked with residents at a low-income housing development. This last service suited Sister Mary’s caring, benevolent personality and her Irish sense of humor. Sister’s later years were spent in a variety of Community Service works. Sister Mary’s Celtic Spirit was especially expressed through her love of Irish songs and her celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Her love of life and deep faith were the core of her faithfulness in all she did, and her wholesome and loving personality will be remembered by all her Sisters in community, her family and her friends. Mary was a loyal and trustworthy friend and prayed always for all who requested her prayers. In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Mary is survived by her niece, Rosemary Sullivan and husband Dennis Decesare, her niece Eileen Sullivan Brozna and husband Dr. John Brozna, her niece-in-law Mary Sullivan, as well as grandnephews, Michael Hummel and Luke Sullivan, and grandnieces, Caitlin Brozna, Sarah Brozna, Anna Siobhan Brozna and Jennifer Sullivan Mathien and three great grandnephews and two great grandnieces. In addition to her parents, Sister Mary was predeceased by her sisters, Eileen Hennessey and Rosaleen Sullivan, her brothers-in-law, John Hennessey and Warren Sullivan, and her nephew, Dr. James Sullivan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Sisters of St. Joseph Provincial House Chapel, 27 Park Road, West Hartford, at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15, with a wake beginning at 10:00 a.m. Masks are required. Burial will follow at the Sisters of St Joseph Cemetery on Ringgold Street in West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a memorial donation to the Sisters of St. Joseph, c/o of Office of Mission Advancement, 650 Willard Ave., Newington, CT 06111. Fisette-batzner Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington has care of arrangements. To share a condolence with her family, please visit www.duksa.net.