11/12/2009
Sr. Fidelis Kreutzer felled by heart attack at 84
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| Sr. Fidelis Kreutzer felled by heart attack at 84 |
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BEAVERTON — Sister Fidelis Kreutzer, a longtime educator and former superior general of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, died of a heart attack Nov. 5 at the congregation’s motherhouse here. She was 84.
Sister Fidelis became known to many Oregon Catholics in the 1990s, when she became one of the faces leading the local retirement collection for religious communities.
In 1993, she received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifica medal given by Pope John Paul II in recognition of outstanding service to the church.
Born Helen Marie on Oct. 4, 1925 in Sheridan, she attended public elementary school before heading to St. Mary of the Valley High School, now known as Valley Catholic.
She was received as a novice by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon in 1942 and became known as Sister M. Fidelis. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Marylhurst in 1952, a master’s degree in education from Gonzaga University in 1958, and a doctorate in education administration and supervision in 1965 from Loyola University, Chicago.
Those who knew her say she loved teaching and administering education from the start of her ministry in 1944. She served at St. Mary, Stayton; St. Andrew, Portland; St. John, Milwaukie; Our Lady of Sorrows, Portland; and St. Mary of the Valley Elementary School where she served as teacher, vice-principal and principal over a span of 29 years.
With advanced degrees in education, she served in the Marylhurst Education Department as education supervisor for the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon and in the Archdiocese of Portland Education Office.
Her peers use words like “grace” and “generosity” when recalling the three terms she served on the Sisters’ Council and the two terms (1976-1985) she ministered as the Superior General. Her last service to the religious community was as archivist, from 1996 to the day before she died.
Sister Fidelis’ energy enabled her to engage in other areas of interest and service. She was a charter member of the Archdiocesan Board of Education, serving as secretary. She chaired the education committee for the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce and was an officer in the Leadership Council of Women Religious.
She sat on the board of directors for Cox-Cable of Washington County and served on the board of directors of Oregon Catholic Press, publisher of this newspaper, from 1987 to 1993.
Sister Fidelis held the post of secretary for the Northwest Association of Bishops and Religious Superiors and sat on the board of Central Catholic High School.
Showing an ability to work with young and old alike, she was a member of the board of directors for Maryville Nursing Home and took a role on a chastity education task force led by the archbishop.
A funeral Mass is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at the motherhouse chapel. Interment is set for 9 a.m. the next day in the Sisters’ cemetery.
Memorial offerings can go to the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation for the Valley Catholic Elementary School Scholarship Fund.
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