Anne M. FitzGerald

EAST DENNIS — Anne M. FitzGerald (Jensen) died Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, in the arms of her two daughters at Liberty Commons.

She was the wife for 55 years of Jack FitzGerald, who predeceased her in 1995. Survivors include her three children, Patricia A. Baker and her husband, Bob of Dennis, Janice M. Tkaczyk and her husband, Allan of East Dennis, and John J. FitzGerald Jr. and his wife, Floriana of Pittsfield. She has one grandchild, John Anthony FitzGerald, also of Pittsfield. She is also survived by sisters, Franny Campbell and her husband, Bill of Plymouth, Rose Fandel of Rockland and Barbara McLay of Burbank, Calif. She was predeceased by two siblings, Esther McLaughlin, formerly of Gloucester, and William Jensen, formerly of Medford.

Anne lived a life of goodness, a life dedicated to her family. As testimony to this, her last words were "I love you," and those were the last words she heard in exchange. She never missed an opportunity to brag about her three children and was the best mom anyone could ever have. Her children and those who knew her will never know the sacrifices she made for their happiness and success because she did things quietly and without applause.

Anne was the oldest of six children born to William and Marion Jensen. She grew up in Dorchester, helping to raise her younger siblings. She attended the Jermiah E. Burke School and then Fisher College, where she graduated with a degree in business. She worked at C.F. Hoveys (now Macy's) as a model and clerk. It was there that she caught the eye of her future husband, Jack FitzGerald. Over the years, Anne loved to share the stories of their meeting and courtship, especially how he hated to dance but loved taking her for rides in his convertible. They married while Jack was home on leave from the service and then moved to Natick when he returned home from active duty.

Deciding Cape Cod would be a better place than the city in which to raise a family, Jack and Anne moved to Cape Cod in 1952, with their three young children, settling in Dennisport. Despite arriving without any jobs, Jack was quickly hired as a carpenter, a trade he learned and continued until he retired. Meanwhile, after the children started school, Anne worked at Maloney's Drugstore as a clerk. She loved the opportunity to meet everyone in town and is still remembered by some of the old-timers. During the summer, Anne opened her house to visitors, calling her establishment the Stratford Road Guest House. She took in vacationers for many years and then waiters and waitresses from local restaurants. Her favorites were the singing waiters and waitresses from the Golden Anchor.

Deciding to put her business degree to use, Anne applied for and was hired as the payroll clerk for the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District, where she worked for 16 years in the superintendent's office.

While their oldest daughter, Patti, was a flight attendant, Anne and Jack traveled to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii, Florida and California. It was Florida that attracted them as they began to plan for their retirement. After 25 years on the Cape, the couple moved to Lehigh Acres, Fla., where they spent 16 years together enjoying the warm weather and having their first chance to take some time for themselves. They returned each summer and Anne worked part time at Cape Cod Tech in Harwich and then continued for 25 years in the volunteer program.

Anne returned to the Cape full time in 2002, residing in South Dennis. She began attending Yarmouth Rotary Club meetings in 1995 and, as was typical for her, the group loved her upbeat attitude and willingness to help others. She was "adopted" by them and became known as "Mom" to all its members. She faithfully attended meetings every Friday morning and worked at as many of the fundraising events as her busy schedule permitted.

Friends and relatives are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, on Friday, Aug. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m., with a time of prayers and memories at 4. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Pius X Church, Station Ave., South Yarmouth. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 12:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Rotary Club of Yarmouth Foundation, Box 448, South Yarmouth, MA 02664.