Sister Joseph Marie Fitzgerald, SSJ, 85, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on August 12, 2024. She was in the 66th year of her religious life. She was born in Erie, PA, on July 11, 1939, the daughter of the late John and Jeanne M. Loesch Fitzgerald. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania from St. Peter Cathedral Parish in Erie, PA, on August 27, 1958, and professed her final vows on August 15, 1966.
Sister Joseph Marie graduated from Villa Maria Academy and continued her education at Villa Maria College graduating in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She continued her education at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and Student Services in 1971.
A longtime teacher throughout the Erie diocese, Sister Joseph Marie taught at St. John, Our Lady of Peace, Holy Rosary, and Villa Maria Elementary Schools in Erie, St. Brigid School in Meadville, and St. Bernard in Bradford. She also served as principal at Holy Rosary School in Erie. Sr. Joseph Marie served in many capacities at Villa Maria College, Erie, including Assistant Dean of Students, Guidance Office, Dean of Students, and Convent Superior. She assisted her congregation in several positions including Assistant Community Superior, Formation Team Member, and Pre-novitiate Director. At Metro Health Center in Erie, she served as a Pastoral Counselor, Discharge Planner, and Ethics Committee member. She also served as a Resident Floor Supervisor at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.
Sister Joseph Marie was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by a brother, John A. Jr. (Cynthia) of Westport, CT, two nephews, Scott (Lori) of Pittsburgh, PA, and Ryan (Michaela) of Bedford, MA, a grandnephew, Drew, of Pittsburgh and a grandniece and nephew, Anna and Liam Fitzgerald of Bedford, MA. She is also survived by her long-time friend, Debra Dragovan, and her religious community, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Friends may call at the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, on Monday, August 19 beginning at 1:00 p.m. with prayer and sharing of memories. Calling hours will continue until 3:45 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 4:00 p.m. The mass will be livestreamed on the Sisters of St. Joseph YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/SSJErie/live. The interment will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Mission & Ministries Foundation, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA, 16506-1249. Brugger Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
