Sister Mary Fritz, C.S.J., a Sister of St. Joseph, Brentwood, L.I., for 66 years, died April 4, in Maria Regina Residence, Brentwood.

She entered the congregation in 1950 from the parish of St. Joachim, Cedarhurst, L.I.  She obtained a bachelor’s degree in history from St. John’s University, Jamaica, and master’s degrees in theology from Providence College, R.I.; Fordham University; and Immaculate Conception, Huntington Seminary, L.I., respectively.

Between 1985 and 1994, she authored the books “Take Nothing for the Journey” (Paulist Press) and “Dancing Before the Dark.”

Formerly known as Sister Ancilla Maria, she taught at Sacred Heart Seminary, Hempstead, 1952-61; Our Lady of the Snows, North Floral Park, 1961-63; and St. Brendan’s H.S. in Midwood, 1963-64.

She served as an assistant mistress of novices at St. Joseph Novitiate in Brentwood, 1964-70; coordinator of Pronto-St. Anne’s parish, Brentwood, 1970-74; served in pastoral ministry/spirituality at St. Patrick’s, Bayshore, L.I., 1974-84; and sabbatical at Cor Maria Retreat House, Sag Harbor 1984-85.

In 1985, she became the director of Bethany House of Prayer, Brentwood, and served until her retirement to Brentwood in 2007.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held in Maria Regina Chapel, April 8. Interment followed in Calvary Cemetery, Brentwood.