Rosemary Virginia, born Jan. 30, 1935 in Catonsville, Md., was the first child of Frederick and Margaret Helen Kirwan Maisel. Rosemary was baptized at St. Agnes Church in Baltimore on Feb. 17, 1935. A sister, Margaret and a brother, Frederick, later joined the family.
While Rosemary was a first grader attending St. Agnes School, she made her first Holy Communion at St. Agnes Church in May 1942. She transferred to St. Mark School, Catonsville for second grade. She was confirmed at St. Mark in 1947 by the Very Rev. Lawrence Shehan, then a Bishop of Baltimore. It was at St. Mark School that Rosemary met the School Sisters of Notre Dame. In her autobiography, Rosemary wrote that, “Off and on, inspired by the great dignity and refinement of the sisters, I began to think of the religious life.”
Rosemary graduated from St. Mark School in June 1949 and attended Mount de Sales Academy, Catonsville, where she was taught by the Visitation Sisters. She graduated from Mount de Sales on June 2, 1953, and then attended the College of Notre Dame of Maryland (1953-54). That summer, Rosemary traveled to Ireland to visit relatives. On her return, she “desired more than ever to be a religious.” A year later, after working for a finance company, Rosemary decided to enter the School Sisters of Notre Dame. She received the bonnet at St. Mark Church on August 29, 1955.
The candidature was a year of study for Rosemary at the Notre Dame Teacher Training College, Baltimore. She entered the novitiate on July 13, 1956, receiving the name Sister Frederick Mary. Sister Frederick Mary professed her first vows on July 27, 1957. She was sent to teach first grade at Mt. Calvary School, Washington, DC (1957-60). Sister continued teaching, working her way through the elementary grades at St. Paul School, Ellicott City, Md. (1960-62); Christ the King School, Tampa, Fla. (1962-64); St. Boniface School, Philadelphia, Pa. (1964-71); and St. Mark School, Catonsville, Md. (1971-81). She also taught as a reading specialist/religion coordinator at Notre Dame Preparatory, Lower School (1981-82).
In 1982, Sister Frederick Mary became the coordinator of the Board of Trustees at Mount de Sales Academy (1982-88). This return to her high school alma mater was prompted by the threatened closure of the historic school. She was a leading figure in the unique purchase of the school by a corporation composed of the Catonsville community, alumnae, and parents of the students. Sister Frederick Mary said, “The heritage of this school speaks out loud. We’re trying to continue that heritage. We want to go forward and maintain the best of the past, too.”
Sister Frederick Mary, or Sister Fred as she became known, was the director of Development Research at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in 1988. There she did extensive research on persons connected to the university and its history. She inspired many to offer support to the university. Sister Fred continued to be involved with that department until 2017.
Sister Frederick Mary’s education continued at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland (now University), and she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1968. She earned a Master of Arts degree from Loyola College (now University) as a reading specialist in 1978.
A master teacher, Sister Fred enjoyed her job, the children, and school life in general. Students said she was the teacher they remembered most. She could be stern and business-like. She pushed them beyond expectation, gave them better goals and taught them to be the best they could be. She was a warm and loving influence, and she was fun. Her students loved her.
Sister Fred was not only a teacher, but a scholar and a researcher. When she was passionate about something, she would jump in with both feet. Among her passions were Notre Dame of Maryland University, the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the church. A great asset was her interest in people. Her inquisitive nature led her to reach out to people. What caused the special effect she had on people? Was it her ever-present smile, her sense of humor, or the sparkle in her eyes? Whether it was a dear friend or a new acquaintance, she raised every person’s dignity and brought joy to the encounter.
Freddie was so proud to be Irish. She loved her Irish heritage and spent many hours compiling her family history. She taught nieces and nephews the proper way to dance a jig to Irish music and served cupcakes with green icing on St. Patrick’s Day.
Sister Frederick Mary died peacefully at Maria Health Care Center on January 22, 2018. A Christian Wake service was held on January 29, and the Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on January 30, Sister Fred’s 83rd birthday. Both services were held in the chapel of Villa Assumpta. The liturgy was concelebrated by Rev. Roman Kovacheson, OSF Cap. and Rev. Christopher Whatley, pastor of St. Mark Church, Catonsville, Md. Interment followed at the Notre Dame of Maryland University Cemetery, Baltimore, Md. Sister Frederick Mary is survived by her dear friend, Sister Eileen O’Dea, SSND, and loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
- Jeanne Hildenbrand, SSND
