Martha Fitzgerald

Sister Beatrice Fitzgerald, OP died suddenly at the age of 80 on Sunday, July 13, 2014 at Akron General Medical Center, Akron. The former Martha Fitzgerald was the daughter of Edward and Delia Bridget Fitzgerald and entered the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron, now Dominican Sisters of Peace, from St. Mary Church, Wooster, OH on August 15, 1951. She made profession of vows on August 4, 1953. Sister graduated from Our Lady of the Elms High School in 1951; received her BSE from St. John College, Cleveland in 1962 and her MSE as a reading specialist from the University of Akron in 1973. She also took theology courses at Villanova University. Sister began teaching in 1953 at Our Lady of the Elms Preschool, then at St. Paul and St. Bernard all in Akron; St. Augustine, Barberton and St. Dominic, Youngstown. Since 1987, she has been employed at the Village at St. Edward in Fairlawn in spiritual-care ministry. Sister Bea, as she was called, also has been in special ministry by visiting hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care and the sick and elderly in private homes. Sister is survived by sisters, Mary Ellen Fitzgerald and Kathryn Drexler, both of Akron and a few nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place at Our Lady of the Elms Convent, 1230 W. Market St., Akron on Tuesday, July 15 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 4:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Elms Chapel on Wednesday, July 16 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Sr. Beatrice's name may be submitted securely on line at www.oppeace.org or sent to Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr., Columbus, OH 43219