Contributions to the tribute of Sister Marie Bitz

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Robert & Lorna Miller posted a condolence

Monday, March 27, 2023

The Bitz family; So sorry to hear the passing of Sister Marie (Sister M. Clarice)!

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Saturday, December 17, 2022

I have the fondest memories of Sister Bitz as my grade 2 teacher. She taught us so much more than our ABC’s . I still cherish my Me book she had us start and have carried it with thru my life. I remember many lunch with the sisters at the convent. Rest in Peace Sister you will be in our hearts forever

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Judy Nevelos-Saskiw posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Condolences to the family of Sister Bitz. Sister Bitz was my grade 3 teacher at St Joe’s in Saint John. She was a marvelous teacher who encouraged all kids to be all they can be. She made learning fun and always had something exciting to show us in class. She was a beautiful person inside and out. God Bless may she RIP.

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Marilyn (Leland) and Billy Bennett posted a condolence

Thursday, October 13, 2022

My condolences to the Sister's of Charity

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Donna Duffy-Searle posted a condolence

Thursday, October 13, 2022

My sincere condolences to Sister Marie's family and to the Sisters of Charity Community on the loss of a beautiful, spiritual, gifted and loving woman. She served with love and compassion. She always smiled and was always there to help with any situation. I first met Sister Marie in the late 1970's at St. Dunstan's, first being in the Youth Choir and then she quietly suggested I might want to join her Religious Education team and perhaps teach Kindergarten children, so I did. During those 10 years of being with her and Fr. Ken Weir who was also there, the Parish was vibrant and everyone loved Sr. Marie. She had a unique ability to make everyone feel special and included. She was very talented and had endless energy and always had a smile and a twinkle in her eye. When I got married, Sister Marie made me a pillow with all the dried rose petals that I had received from my then husband and she presented it to me one day after Mass. She also gave us ornaments for our Christmas tree and every year for 35 years - soon to be 36 we put our little ornaments on our tree and remember Sister Marie with joy and of course a smile. She will forever be in our hearts and we know she now rests in peace and is reunited with her loved ones . Donna Duffy-Searle

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Donna Schroeter posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

My heartfelt sympathy to the SCIC community and Sister’s relatives. I met Sr. Marie when I was a volunteer with the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Team at St.Joseph’s Hospital. Sr.Marie was an excellent and caring teacher! She loved the patients and they loved her. When I would arrive at her office for an update, she often shared stories about her family and her journey. I treasure the memories of those visits and working with her. Rest In Peace good and faithful servant! Donna Schroeter

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Patti Ramsey posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Sending blessings and love in this time of loss. I was a grade 3 student at St Dunstans in 1974-75 and have wonderful memories of Sister Bitz. How excited I was to be allowed to take Chi Chi (the Guinea pig) home, and to be asked to come for lunch at Rosary Hall. Our family had just moved back to Fredericton and that year I recall feeling so welcome in school. What a wonderful spirit. Thank you for sharing the photo tribute. I will never forget her. Dr Patti Ramsey, New Maryland .

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Beth and Graydon Nicholas posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Our condolences to Sister Marie's family and to the Sisters of Charity on the loss of a wonderful woman whom we knew as a good friend. We met Sister Marie, (affectionately known as Bitzsy), when she was Director of Religious Education at St. Dunstan's and we were catechists on the Confirmation Team (Grade 9). Sister was wise to use a team approach for that age level, with the catechists ranging in age from 20's to 40's and 60's, to help open young minds and hearts to the witness of followers of Jesus living their faith in the world. Sister was always full of joy and hope and recognized the potential in everyone. She was innovative in the ways that she brought out the best in the students. She taught members of the Confirmation Class a liturgical dance to "Here I Am, Lord" that they joyfully performed at the Easter Vigil. Sister helped to make the Family Mass a truly communal celebration of the Eucharist by encouraging all members of the congregation to actively participate. Sister often showed her fun side such as the parish contest to name her new car, which became "The Bitzmobile". She proudly drove it behind the St. Dunstan's float in the Fredericton Santa Claus Parade. We are better Christians for having benefited from Sister Marie's example of living a life of service. She now rests in peace with the Trinity for eternity. Beth and Graydon Nicholas, Fredericton

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Janice Myles posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Dear Sister Bitz. She was my 3rd grade teacher at St. Josephs School in 1970. Sister Bitz was by far the best teacher I ever had. I went on to be an International educator teaching in 8 different International schools and I always talked about Sr. Bitz and how I modeled my teaching after her. She made sure everyone has a part in plays and everyone learned to crochet. She knew about my parent's divorce and was always there to listen to me and encouraged me to write about my feelings in a diary. I still have that diary. I will never forget the kindness she showed others. She would take one girl in particular who smelled, and she would give her soap to wash in the morning so others wouldn't tease her. I will never forget the day she told us that she had been to Peru. I sat there dumbfounded and realized that there was another world out there and I too wanted to go to Peru someday! That day came when I worked in Venezuela and my husband and I spent 3 wonderful weeks in Peru that first Christmas holiday. Of course, I thought of her the whole time and I knew I had to 'look her up' and tell her about my trip and the influence she had on my life. This I did that following summer and she was very touched. I can only imagine the lives she has touched over the years. She truly was an angel on Earth. God bless you Sister BItz. Rest in heaven in God's loving arms.

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Tim Doherty posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Sister Bitz was my homeroom grade 3 teacher at St. Dunstan's School in 1972. While I have often shared with others that we didn't learn as much math or grammar as we might have, but we were instilled with the importance of kindness, tolerance, joy, and the great world beyond Fredericton. I too remember Gigi the Guinea Pig and taking him home on weekends. She played booty hockey with the boys, ran as fast as any of us, and always had a twinkle in her eye. One of my fondest memories was listening to Cat Steven's "Moonshadow" in class. Still love that song today. God bless you Sister and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...somewhere someone is leaping and hopping on a Moonshadow. Tim Doherty, London, ON

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Stacee Stoeckle (Phillips) posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Sister Bitz was the most important teacher in my years of school. She had a warm glow about her that allowed her to make me and others feel special. She instilled basic Christian values, how you should treat others and that you should love yourself. "Its what's inside that counts" I would come home and quote what I learned from her to my parents. "Sister Bitz says..." and they would smile. Our class Guinea pig,Gigi taught responsibility. I took it home over many weekends and helped my father build a new wooden box because she asked my father if he wouldn't mind. She taught us about true meaning if Christmas,taught us to sign Oh Christmas Tree in German. A few of us would just show up at Rosary Hall to just visit her. She shared stories of her travels and life as a nun. She was a wonderful teacher and person. I feel she shaped my faith and who I became. She will be missed. My sympathy to her friends, family. Also her other students because I know we all feel sad of her passing. She made a difference in so many of our lives.

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Alice & Paul LeBlanc posted a condolence

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Our sincere condolences to Sister Marie Bitz's family and SCIC Community and friends. I have many fond memories of Sister Marie from St. Joseph's Hospital. I always looked forward to her stopping by my office for a friendly chat and telling me what she was up to next. She coordinated an event one Saturday and gathered staff and children to assist in making the Christmas outfits for the Annual Christmas Parade by cutting up garbage bags to look like Christmas Trees for the Children to wear on the float. Her decoration for the Annual Festival of Trees called "The Seeds of Hope" were so beautiful and delicate. After the "Festival of Trees" was over she wanted me to have some for our daughter to hang on her tree. We still have those ornaments, which are carefully packed away in their own special box. Every Christmas when we open that box we think of Sister Marie. We are so thankful and blessed to have known her. May she RIP

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Lynda Lord posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sister Bitz. I was one of her many students she taught at St. Dunstan's in Fredericton, NB. She was my Grade 3 teacher in 1975-1976. She had a guinea pig, Chi-Chi who lived in his pen at the back of our classroom. Those of us who wanted to take him home for an overnight or a weekend were allowed to do so. I took him home a few times too. My memories of her are many and they are very fond ones. She was so kind and giving of her time and her gentle ways to each of us in her classroom. She made each one of us feel very special and important. To this day I must say she is my MOST favourite teacher/instructor I've ever had in all my years of education. She left an indelible mark on my soul. I am grateful to have met her at such a young age. RIP Sister Bitz.

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Jannette Jarvis posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

To Sister Marie Bitz SCIC COMMUNITY: So sorry for your loss as Sister Bitz was a regular fixture at St. Josephs for many years sitting or bringing the patients down for Church Service in the hospital chapel. I remember the time I was visiting with my mom who was non catholic and she Sister Bitz had communion for her and my mom took it and dropped it her tea and the expression on Sister Bitz was priceless. Like why didn't you tell me ? The next day Sister Bitz came by and she apologized and my mom just said "ask me"? the next time there was no more communion but alot of time talking about her being a foster parent to alot of children. Which was good for both of them. Rest Easy Sister Bitz until we meet again.

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Andrea Brown posted a condolence

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Sister Marie, was one of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Sister Marie, was so other centered, always thinking about how she could bring out the full potential of the other. Anyone, who had the chance to meet, Sister Marie, knew they were meeting someone very special.My condolences to Sister's family.

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The family of Sister Marie Bitz uploaded a photo

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Sister Marie Bitz

1937 - 2022