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Sister Damien Fitzsimmons, CSJ

December 10, 1931 - September 26, 2022
Nazareth, MI

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Thursday, October 6, 2022
9:30 AM EDT
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Meeting ID: 864 7218 6389
Passcode: 781798

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Sisters of St. Joseph
2929 Nazareth Road
Nazareth, MI 49048
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Taylor's Florist and Gifts
215 E. Michigan Ave.
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 657-6256
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Madonna Jean Fitzsimmons was born in Marion, Indiana on December 10, 1931, the daughter of Walter and Mary (McDonald) Fitzsimmons. Madonna was a happy addition to the family consisting of James, Mary Patricia, Idanell, Sarann and Laura Kay.

Madonna was a member of St. Paul’s in Marion, IN at the time of her entrance into the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tipton on September 7, 1952. She received the name Sister Mary Damien at her reception on August 15, 1953. She pronounced first vows on August 15, 1955 and final vows on August 15, 1961.

Sister Damien graduated from St. Paul’s High School and, prior to entering the Congregation, attended Good Samaritan School of Nursing in Kokomo, IN where she received her RN. Later she attended IU Kokomo receiving an Associates’ Degree in Health Care. She also attended Clown School in Kokomo, IN where her persona “Crackers” came to be!

As Sister M. Damien, RN, she began her ministry of health care at Mercy Hospital in Elwood, IN and then onto St. Joseph Hospital in Kokomo, IN. After some years as a nurse, the Congregation called Sr. Damien into education ministry. She taught 3rd and 4th grades at schools in South Bend and Frankfort, IN. In 1984 Sister Damien returned to nursing at St. Joseph Hospital as a surgical nurse; later she provided nursing care in the Infirmary at the Motherhouse in Tipton.

In addition, using her Radiology Degree from Good Samaritan School of Radiology in Cincinnati, OH, she spent 19 years as an x-ray technician and instructor at St. Joseph Hospital. In 1990 she participated for two years in the program at her beloved Emmaus House in New Jersey. Sister Damien also enjoyed working as a receptionist in a chiropractic office and later spent another 20 years serving the Congregation by managing the sisters’ insurance needs in the Business Office at the Tipton Center.

In her free time, she also enjoyed crafts, painting, reading and visiting nursing homes as “Crackers”, the clown.

While at the Tipton Center, Sr. Damien visited the Infirmary every morning and evening, sharing a greeting of joy and hope with each resident. After the closing of the Tipton Center in 2012, Sister Damien moved to Nazareth Center and then on to Ascension Living Borgess Place in Kalamazoo, Michigan where her Ministry of Prayer, her smile and outgoing personality enriched the lives of all who lived and worked there.

May She Rest in Peace!