Age 93
Sister Mary Fatima was a Sister of Mercy for 72 years. Sister Mary graduated from Sherman Station High School in 1945 and then enrolled in Madigan Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Houlton, Maine, where she earned her R.N. in Nursing.
In 1949, she entered the Sisters of Mercy in Portland, Maine, where she began her religious studies. Sister Mary Fatima’s ministry in healthcare began as a private duty nurse at Mercy Hospital, Portland, and later she became a clinical instructor for the operation room/surgical nursing. After six years at Mercy Hospital, she was assigned to Madigan Memorial Hospital in Houlton. While there, she held several positions: clinical instructor, director of nursing and assistant administrator.
Sister Mary Fatima then moved to her ministry at Eagle Lake where she was stationed from 1968 – 1981. She served as administrator of Eagle Lake Nursing Home; her parents were residents there in later years. she helped to design and plan the 60-bed nursing home as well as the 45-bed boarding facility. She earned a B.S.N. from Boston College and a master’s degree in Nutrition from Lesley College, Cambridge, Mass.
After leaving Eagle Lake, she returned to Mercy Hospital as an assistant librarian, a role she excelled in. She eagerly accepted this new position as it fed her great thirst for knowledge. Upon retirement, she enjoyed more time for prayer, was a compassionate listener, shared her dry wit and sense of humor with family and friends, and enjoyed watching the History and National Geographic television channels, always eager to learn and share her views with others. Sister Mary Fatima’s motto, “May Christ live in me” inspired her nursing career as her quiet graciousness and gentle kindness showed her loving care for others.