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St. Patrick School alumni from the 1960s to the 2000s will never, ever, forget Sister Mary Ann. She was a taskmaster, a leader, and definitely a straight-shooter. But more importantly, she was a loving and caring shaper of youth, and the thousands of students who grew under her care are better because of it.
St. Patrick School alumni from the 1960s to the 2000s will never, ever, forget Sister Mary Ann. She was a taskmaster, a leader, and definitely a straight-shooter. But more importantly, she was a loving and caring shaper of youth, and the thousands of students who grew under her care are better because of it.
Sister Mary Ann, known as "SMA" to her students (but not to her face), was born Dorothy May Schmitz on May 18, 1928, in Harvey, North Dakota. She made her vows with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation in 1946 when she was just 18 years old. At that young age, she began teaching in North Dakota and continued at various schools there until 1963, instructing all grades from first through high school.
Sister Mary Ann, known as "SMA" to her students (but not to her face), was born Dorothy May Schmitz on May 18, 1928, in Harvey, North Dakota. She made her vows with the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation in 1946 when she was just 18 years old. At that young age, she began teaching in North Dakota and continued at various schools there until 1963, instructing all grades from first through high school.
According to the history book put out by the church in 2008, "Sr. Mary Ann Schmitz became the principal of St Patrick School in 1963. Sr. Mary Ann was the first woman principal in Washington. At the beginning of her assignment, Sister served as both principal and eighth-grade teacher simultaneously. Throughout her forty years as principal, her main concerns were always of the faith, safety, and well-being of the children. Her heart was the school, and it was her life. She was a visible presence at all athletic events held at the school and always boarded the bus to pray before it departed."
Quite often she would go through students' work and make comments. A good word from SMA would make your day.
Quite often she would go through students' work and make comments. A good word from SMA would make your day.
But along with the praise came the job of discipline, and many a student felt the wrath of a disappointed principal. It was undoubtedly not her favorite part of the job, but rules have consequences, and SMA held the students of St. Patrick to a high standard, for their own good.
But along with the praise came the job of discipline, and many a student felt the wrath of a disappointed principal. It was undoubtedly not her favorite part of the job, but rules have consequences, and SMA held the students of St. Patrick to a high standard, for their own good.
Sister Mary Ann continued in her role until 2003, when she retired to North Dakota. She worked as a pastoral care visitor in an elderly care facility in Fargo until 2020. She passed away on November 8, 2021.
Sister Mary Ann continued in her role until 2003, when she retired to North Dakota. She worked as a pastoral care visitor in an elderly care facility in Fargo until 2020. She passed away on November 8, 2021.
After her time at St. Patrick School, they gymnasium was named in her honor as a permanent memorial to her service to St. Patrick's, and to Washington.
After her time at St. Patrick School, they gymnasium was named in her honor as a permanent memorial to her service to St. Patrick's, and to Washington.
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