Sister Baptista Frutkin, the former Mary Fern Frutkin, died Thursday, March 20, 2008 at Villa Maria Community Center.
Sister Baptista, the younger of the two children of Simon and Elizabeth (Wirth) Frutkin was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Reynold J. and Anabel Frutkin of Fishers, Indiana in addition to three nephews and one niece and their families.
A 1930 graduate of Lourdes Academy, Cleveland, Ohio, she entered the Humility of Mary Congregation in January 1932 and professed first vows in August 1934. Her profession of perpetual vows was in August 1937. Sister Baptista celebrated her 75th anniversary as a Sister of the Humility of Mary in 2007.
Sister Baptista received her nursing degree from the St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing, Youngstown, Ohio in 1938 and was a registered nurse for three years at St. E’s. She received her BSNE in Nursing Administration from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1941. This educational background served her well as she ventured into the world of hospital administration that lasted from the early 1940s until her retirement from health care in 1985.
In her 25 years in the Youngstown diocese, Sister Baptista served at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown and St. Joseph Riverside Hospital, Warren as assistant administrator and then administrator at each hospital. During her six year tenure as administrator of St. Elizabeth Hospital in the late 1950s and early 1960s, she oversaw the building and expansion of the school of nursing and the hospital itself. In 1961 St. Elizabeth celebrated its 50th anniversary and was recognized as the largest hospital in Youngstown. Sister Baptista, a well-liked and capable person, encouraged growth and development in many areas. For example, in March, 1961 she announced plans to open a cardiovascular department for the diagnosis of heart disease and where open-heart surgery would be introduced, going well beyond the hospital’s then current efforts in heart research. St. Elizabeth Hospital underwent much growth and expansion during her administration.
Sister Baptista was stationed for 30 years in the Cleveland diocese serving as administrative assistant at St. Joseph Hospital, Lorain; and assistant administrator and then administrator for The Rose-Mary Center, Euclid providing care for children with multiple needs. Ever willing to give of herself in any capacity, she then volunteered for eight years as a pastoral minister visiting sick and hospitalized parishioners of St. James Parish, Lakewood.
After her retirement in 1993 to Villa Maria Community Center, Villa Maria, Pennsylvania, Sister Baptista served as a volunteer at Villa Maria Retreat Center. She also gave of herself as a receptionist for guests to Villa Maria Community Center for as long as she was able. She participated in the Ministry of Prayer until her death.
May Sister Baptista experience that most special joy of seeing her loving God in life eternal.
Memorial contributions may be forwarded to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, Development Office, PO Box 534, Villa Maria PA 16155.
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