Sister Maura Fortkort, OSF 1932-2025

Sister Maura Fortkort, who spent nearly 50 years as teacher and administrator, died June 21, 2025, at Mount St. Mary Hospital, Lewiston. She was 93.

The former Maryann Fortkort was born May 17, 1932, in Buffalo to Albert and Mary (O’Donnell) Fortkort.

After graduating from the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, Sister Maura entered the Stella Niagara convent of the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance & Christian Charity on Sept. 4, 1949. She professed her first vows in 1952, and final vows three years later.

She went on to attend Rosary Hill College (now Daemen University) in Amherst, Niagara University, and SUNY at Buffalo, where she earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education.

Sister Maura began teaching at Our Lady of the Rosary School, Buffalo, in 1955. She went on to teach at St. Lawrence School, Buffalo. She then moved to the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, where she served as a teacher in two schools.

In 1965, Sister was named dean of freshmen at Rosary Hill College. She also served her alma mater as director of residents and on the education faculty. From 1973-1975, Sister Maura served as director of Counseling at Genesee Community College in Batavia. From 1975-1978, Sister Maura served as director of Counseling and vice president of Student Affairs at Daemen College. This was followed by a term as dean of Academics at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, then provincial councilor for her religious community. After missionary work in Chiapas, Mexico, and a term as vice president of Mission Services at St. Ann Hospital/Mt. Carmel Health System in the Diocese of Columbus, Sister Maura returned to serving her Stella Niagara sisters as pastoral care coordinator.

Sister Maura also served as general councilor for the Franciscan Generalate in Rome.

Sister Maura retired in Stella Niagara in 2010; moved to the Stella Niagara Health Center in January 2021.

She is survived by her sister, Sister Nancy Fortkort, OSF, and predeceased by her parents, Albert and Mary O’Donnell Fortkort, and her brother, Thomas Fortkort.

A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, June 26, at the Stella Niagara Chapel, with burial to follow at Sisters’ Cemetery, Stella Niagara.