SISTER MARY SARAH FASENMYER

1922 - 2013

SISTER MARY SARAH FASENMYER The Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth mourn the loss of Sister Mary Sarah Fasenmyer, 91, who died on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, at 3:27 a.m. in Ross Hall, Mother House, Leavenworth, Kansas. She served as a Sister of Charity for 74 years. Patricia Mary Fasenmyer was born on March 17, 1922, one of five children of Anthony C. and Sara Carey Fasenmyer. She graduated from St. Peter's Cathedral Grade School, Kansas City, Kansas, and St. Mary's Academy, Leavenworth, Kansas. Pat entered the religious community of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth on September 1, 1939 and, as Sister Mary Sarah, made her profession of vows on March 2, 1941. Sister Mary Sarah was a gifted person with a host of talents. She received a BS and MS in Education and Mathematics from Saint Mary College, Leavenworth, Kansas, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from New York University, New York, New York. She was an educator, published writer, and speaker. Early in her professional career, S. Mary Sarah taught or was principal in Catholic elementary schools. Later, she served as Director of the Curriculum Development Center, Assistant Professor in the School of Education, and Dean in the School of Education, all at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. She also served as Dean of the School of Education at St. John's University in Jamaica, New York. She was the Academic Vice- President and Dean of the Faculty at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. At Mount St. Mary College in Los Angeles, California, she was the Director of Funded Research. Sister Mary Sarah returned to Kansas in 1990, where she was named Director and Dean of the Graduate Division at the Johnson County site of the University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth. In 1997 Sister received certification as a licensed Ombudsman for the State of Kansas Department on Aging. She served as a consultant with Loyola University Press for long- term care. Before retiring to the Mother House in 2009, S. Mary Sarah was a board member and volunteer usher for the Kansas City Symphony. Survivors include brothers Anthony of Prairie Village, Kansas, and Thomas of Jacksonville, FL; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and her SCL Community. A vigil will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12 in Ross Chapel of the Sisters of Charity Mother House in Leavenworth where friends may call after 4:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, on the Mother House grounds. Davis Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Retirement Fund, 4200 S 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.