Obituary of Sister Elizabeth F.C.J FITZGERALD

January 26, 1926 – Lethbridge, Alberta
October 9, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Sister Elizabeth Fitzgerald of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020 at the age of 94 years.

Sister Rose Marie Elizabeth Fitzgerald was born in Lethbridge, AB, on Jan. 26, 1926 to John and Eva Fitzgerald. Raised in Calgary with her older brother, John, and sister, Mary, and her younger sisters, Doris and Leona (Sr. Philomena, FCJ) she attended St. Ann's School and St. Mary's Girls' High School. In 1949 she entered the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus, and made her first vows Aug. 15, 1951. Studies at the U. of Toronto resulted in a gold medal for her B.A. She taught one year in Combermere, ON, and in 1957 was missioned to teach at St. Mary's Girls' in Calgary. Before long she was asked to take on the role of principal which she did until 1968. Years of leadership in the FCJ Calgary community and later on the General Council in England were followed by two years in Limerick, Ireland. On her return to Calgary in 1985 she was director of the FCJ Christian Life Centre for four years. A serious car accident meant months of rehabilitation before she could be at the Centre. She undertook that period of  recovery with great courage and determination. Edmonton was next, '90 to '97, where Elizabeth worked with the Sisters, Ursulines of Jesus, at their Stillpoint House of Prayer. Her final years of leadership were again at Sacred Heart Convent, Calgary. "Retirement" years involved visiting the sick, serving as the FCJ Provincial Archivist, helping with our lay Companions in Mission and looking after the sacristy.

Sr. Elizabeth will be remembered as a woman of deep faith whose inner peace and joy radiated to all with whom she came in contact. Sincere thanks to FCJ care staff at Sacred Heart Convent and the staff at St. Marguerite Manor for their loving care of Sr. Elizabeth.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219–18th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Friday, October 16, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Due to Covid, please register with St. Mary's Cathedral: stmaryscalgary.ca. Graveside Service to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Sister Elizabeth’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If wished, donations may be made to FCJ Christian Life Centre.

In living memory of Sister Elizabeth Fitzgerald, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.