Sister Maura Fortkort, OSF

Sister Maura Fortkort, OSF, age 93, born Maryann Fortkort in Buffalo, NY on May 17, 1932, died on June 21, 2025 at Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital, Lewiston, NY. She was the daughter of the late Albert and Mary (O’Donnell) Fortkort.

She entered the Sisters of St. Francis on September 4, 1949 and was professed on August 18, 1952. Sister Maura’s principal ministry was Education. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Rosary Hill (Daemen) University in 1958; a Master’s Degree from Niagara University in 1967; and a Ph.D. in High Education from the State University of NY at Buffalo in 1978.

Sister Maura served in New York at Our Lady of the Rosary School, Buffalo as teacher (1955-1956); St. Lawrence School, Buffalo as teacher (1961-1965); Rosary Hill (Daemen) University as Dean of Freshmen/Director of Residents/Education Faculty (1965-1972); Genesee Community College, Batavia as Director of Counseling (1973-1975); Daemen University, Amherst as Director of Counseling/VP Student affairs (1975-1978); Christ the King Seminary, East Aurora as Dean of Academics (1979-1983); Sisters of St. Francis, Stella Niagara as Provincial Councilor (1983-1985), Pastoral Care Coordinator (2005-2010), and Providence Fund Chair (2011-2017). In Ohio, she served at Sacred Heart Elementary School, Columbus as teacher (1958-1961); Sacred Heart High School, Columbus as teacher (1960-1961); and St. Ann Hospital/Mt. Carmel Health System, Westerville as VP of Mission Services (1997-1999). Sister Maura served as a General Councilor at our Franciscan Generalate in Rome from 2000-2004 and was also a Missionary in Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico from 1996-1997. Sister Maura retired in 2010 and moved to the Stella Niagara Health Center in February 2021.

Besides her parents, Sister Maura was predeceased by her brother, Thomas (Deanna D’Andrea) Fortkort. She is survived by her sister, Sister Nancy Fortkort, OSF as well as a niece and nephews Mary Broncaccio, Michael Fortkort, Peter Fortkort, John Fortkort, many great-great nieces and nephews, as well as her Sisters in the Stella Niagara Community.

Wake Wednesday, June 25, from 4-7 PM with a prayer service at 7PM. Mass of Christian burial Thursday, June 26 at 10AM at Stella Niagara.

Memorials to the Sisters of St. Francis, Stella Niagara, NY 14144.

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