Sr. Frances Mary Fitzpatrick, OP, formerly known as Sister John Denise, died on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 88 years of age and in the 68th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Frances Mary was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Thomas and Mary (Farrell) Fitzpatrick. She graduated from Saint Xavier Academy in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in English and a Master of Education degree in School Administration/Supervision, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.
Sister Frances Mary spent 33 years ministering in education in Ypsilanti, Maybee, Rochester, and Flint, Michigan; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Chicago, Illinois. This includes four years as principal in two Flint schools and 15 years as principal in St. Petersburg. She ministered 14 years as a school consultant and seven years as an assistant superintendent for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Sister also served six years as resource consultant for the Office of Catholic Schools in Chicago. She became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2021.
Sister Frances Mary was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Roberta Hamill. She is survived by brothers John Fitzpatrick of Lake Forest and Thomas Fitzpatrick, Jr., of Chicago, both in Illinois; other loving family and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30-7:00 pm on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 pm Tuesday, January 23, 2024, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 am Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
Those who are not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan 18 years:
- St. William, Walled Lake (1954-55): Elementary Teacher
- St. John, Ypsilanti (1956-61): Elementary Teacher
- St. Joseph, Maybee (1961-67): Elementary Teacher
- St. Andrew, Rochester (1967-69): Elementary Teacher
- St. Leo, Flint (1969-71): Elementary Principal
- Mayotte Primary/St. Luke (1971-72): Elementary Principal
- Mayotte Primary, Flint (1972-73): Elementary Principal
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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