Sister Eleanor will long be remembered by students, their families, and her colleagues with whom she worked over the years as kind and compassionate.

Sister Eleanor Fitzgerald (Sister Mary Maurice) was born April 15, 1933 in New York City. She was one of five children— three girls and two boys—of Maurice and Margaret Wixted Fitzgerald. Eleanor attended Saint Catherine of Genoa School and Cathedral High School, both in Manhattan, and worked as a secretary for six years before entering the Sisters of Charity of New York on September 8, 1956. Sister Maurice earned a BA in Education from the College of Mount Saint Vincent.

Sister Eleanor’s ministry was in the field of elementary education. Her first mission assignment was Saint Joseph School, Yonkers, where she taught first grade for eight years. She was then missioned to Saint Mary School, Wappingers Falls, where she continued teaching first grade for the next fourteen years. For one year, 1981–1982, Sister Eleanor served at the Elizabeth Seton House of Prayer in Scarsdale and then returned to teaching at Sacred Heart School in Hartsdale. In 1989, she continued her teaching ministry at Saint Margaret of Cortona, Bronx, where she taught grades three and four for the next fifteen years. When Sister Eleanor retired from teaching in 2004, she continued to volunteer her services and skills at Saint Margaret School. In 2012 she moved to the retirement community at Mount Saint Vincent Convent. When her health declined, she joined other Sisters of Charity in retirement at Kittay House in the Bronx.

A dedicated and outstanding teacher, Sister Eleanor will long be remembered by students, their families, and her colleagues with whom she worked over the years as kind and compassionate. Sister enjoyed being part of a vibrant and prayerful community and brought life to the communities with whom she lived. She loved making Irish soda bread—and bake she did every Saint Patrick’s Day for her community, her family and to share with her many friends. Two dozen loaves were hardly a challenge! The sisters with whom she lived in Rosary Hall remember the many evenings she left to join other céilí (Irish) dancers, learning new sets and tapping to the old favorites. Early the next morning she went off with a spring in her step to teach her class at Saint Margaret’s.

We rejoice with her now as she hears the words of our loving God, “Welcome home, my good and faithful servant.” Rest in peace, Sister Eleanor.