Sister Mary Pius Fagan OP of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on Saturday, November 25, 2023 in Joe Raso Hospice in New City, New York. Sister Pius was 87 years old and in her 70th year of religious life.
Born in Wilmington, Delaware, on January 3, 1936, Marguerite was the daughter of John and Martha Garyantes Fagan. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8,1954 and received the name Sister Mary Pius. She professed her first vows in 1956 and final vows in 1961.
Sister Mary Pius received a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, 1959 and an MA in Urban Affairs/Public Policy, St. Louis University, MO 1984. She held Certification in CPE, 1978, and in Spiritual Direction from Aquinas Institute, 2000.
Sister Mary Pius’s ministries included St. Agnes Home and School, Sparkill, NY (1956-1959, 1970-1972); St. Brendan School, Bronx, NY (1959-1960); SS. Peter and Paul School, Easton, MD (1960-1967); Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Scarsdale, NY (1967-1970); St. Dominic School, Blauvelt, NY (1972-1977). In St. Louis, Missouri, her ministries included Chaplain, St. Louis Detention Center (1977-1979); Founder and Director of Criminal Justice Ministry (1979-1988); Sabbatical (1988-1989); Staff Development/Coordinator, Society of St. Vincent DePaul (1989-1991); Pastoral Associate, St. Mark Parish (1991-1992); Director, Pillar Place (1992-1995); Liturgist/Pastoral Care, Franciscan Sisters of Mary (1995-1997); Student, Aquinas Institute (1997-1998); Spiritual Director/Retreat Ministry (1998-2001). From 2001 until 2018, Sr. Mary Pius served as a Spiritual Companion.
Sister Mary Pius is predeceased by her parents John and Martha Garyantes Fagan, siblings Sr. Ursula, MMS, Bernard, Frank, and Peter; she is survived by her sister, Stephanie Hemelings, her sister-in-law Pat Fagan, and loving nieces, nephews, Dominican Sisters, Associates, and friends.
Sister Mary Pius made a difference as classroom teacher, criminal justice minister, spiritual director, chaplain, staff development coordinator, and by her very presence to the most vulnerable. She faithfully lived the mission of the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill in word and deed in her work for justice and reverence for all God’s creation. Well done, good and faithful servant, Sister Mary Pius! May you rest in peace as you are welcomed into the fullness of God’s presence!
You may view the Livestream link for Sister Pius’s funeral mass here.
Click here for Funeral Mass Booklet.