Sister Dolores Fitzpatrick, GNSH

Written on: January 29, 2025

Sister Dolores Fitzpatrick, GNSH, (formerly Sister Claire Marie), 95, died on Friday, January 24, 2025, in the 77^th year of her religious life.

Born June 22, 1929, in Long Island City, NY to John J. and Helena Boylan Fitzpatrick, Dolores Miriam Fitzpatrick entered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart on September 8, 1948. A graduate of Bishop McDonnell High School, Brooklyn, she earned her BS in Social Studies from D’Youville College (1955) and received an MS Ed/Administration from St. Bonaventure University (1974).

Sister is predeceased by her parents, sisters, Claire Ann Tessandori and Mary, and brother John. She is survived by her sister-in-law Joan (John) and brother-in-law Hank (Claire), several nieces and nephews, as well as members of her religious congregation.

A dedicated and enthusiastic teacher and principal, Sister taught primary as well as middle grades. Her 42 years as educator/administrator ministry spanned sites in New York: Holy Angels School, Buffalo (1951-52); St. Leo’s, Corona (1956-59), St. Mary’s, Potsdam (1959-67, 1977-85) and Immaculate Conception, Eden (1967-74); Georgia: Christ the King (1952-56) and St. Jude the Apostle (1974-77), Atlanta; and Pennsylvania: St. Norbert, Paoli (1985-93). She was principal at Immaculate Conception (also local superior), St. Mary’s, St. Jude’s, and St. Norbert’s. In 1993, she was appointed Coordinator of the Motherhouse Community, a position she held until 2001. Retiring from that responsibility, she became the sacristan and participated in intracommunity service until 2009. Even in retirement, she continued to contribute to the well-being of the community through active participation.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 am and sharing of memories at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 8, 2025 in the Redeemer Sisters’ Chapel, 521 Moredon Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA; funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 am. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem, PA. Donations in her memory may be made to the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, 928 Jaymor Rd., Suite C-120, Southampton, PA 18966 or at our online donation page.

Arrangements by Beck Givnish Funeral Homes.

Reflection on the life of Sister Dolores Fitzpatrick by Sister Eileen White, GNSH

This entry was posted in In Loving Memory and tagged: Christ the King Atlanta, D'Youville College, Holy Angels School, Obituary, Sister Dolores Fitzpatrick, St. Jude the Apostle, St. Leo School Corona NY, St. Mary's Potsdam NY, St. Norbert School