Sister Sharon Fitzpatrick, 76, died on March 6, 2021, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minn.
Sharon Fitzpatrick was born on September 25, 1944, in St. Cloud, Minn. She was the fourth of eight children born to the late Ed and Ellen (Smith) Fitzpatrick. Sister Sharon was always very proud of her Irish heritage. She attended both elementary and high school in Foley, and in the fall of 1963 she entered the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota. She received the habit on July 31, 1964, and given the name Sister Mary Colleen. She returned to her baptismal name in 1976. Sister Sharon made her first profession of vows on June 13, 1966, and final vows on June 6, 1971. She was a Franciscan Sister for 56 years.
Sister Sharon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from St. Mary’s College, Winona, Minn. She ministered as a teacher’s aide, homemaker, baker, parish minister and counselor. She was the co-founder and administrator of The House of Bread and Peace, a shelter for homeless women. Later, she was the co-founder and a staff person at Becker House, a home for single women making transitions in their lives. After Becker House closed, she did similar ministry at other places. When the Midwest Franciscans opened a novitiate in Joliet, Sister Sharon was appointed as Assistant Novice Director. From 2009-2020, she was the Benefactor Relations Coordinator for the Franciscan Sisters. She served in Little Falls and Duluth, Minn.; Evansville, Ind.; and Chicago and Joliet, Ill.
A good way to describe Sister Sharon is to say that she was an all-around-person who was always concerned for the well-being of others. Her ministry to homeless women and those in transition tells how she did what Jesus would do in a given situation. She was a person who would scrape wooden floors with glass and refinish them, manicure a pathway, care for flowers and wash large heaps of kitchen pots and pans—and enjoy every minute. She once said, “Work doesn’t spur me on—work isn’t me. I enjoy life and I enjoy living. If there is something blocking me from enjoying it, I change it.” She put her whole heart into whatever ministry she was involved in, so it is not surprising that in 1986 she won the “Woman of the Year Award” from the International Women’s Committee, Evansville, Ind. Other honors included the “Citizen of the Year Award” from the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers in 1987 and the “Appreciation Award” from the Emergency Food Pantry System in 1988. A trip to Ireland resulted in her receiving the “Blarney Castle Certificate,” proof that she kissed the Blarney Stone. Sister Sharon enjoyed life and brought joy to many with her Irish wit and humor. She was a lover of camping in the rough and watching and learning about the stars.
She was preceded in death by siblings Colleen, Tim and Maureen. Survivors include siblings: Terry, Mike (Mary Jo), Catherine (Leroy) Herbst, and Tom (Sharon); sister-in-law Georgette Fitzpatrick; nieces and nephews and her Franciscan Community.
A private burial was held for Sister Sharon on March 8, 2021. A virtual Franciscan Prayer Service was held on March 16, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass was celebrated on September 25, 2021 at St. Francis Convent.
Click to see her memorial video
