MARY FITZGERALD Obituary

Mary Fitzgerald Born to Patrick and Anne Grealish in Galway, Ireland on September 16, 1921, died on December 31, 2011, at the age of 90. The oldest of 5 children, Mary attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade where bringing coal to heat the classroom was a requirement. She shared a wealth of knowledge and stressed the importance of hard work and education to her children and grandchildren. Mary served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, a branch of the British army, during World War Two before moving to Tacoma in September of 1948. She married Bill Fitzgerald in February of 1949 and began her life as a wife and mother. "Irish Mary" worked in the tunnel kitchens at the University of Puget Sound for many years before retiring in 1983. Mary's life lessons, unconventionally taught through colorful stories of her childhood in Ireland, left her rapt audiences with a mixture of tears and awe, and oftentimes, a smile. Her vignettes of working in the bog, caring for her pet lamb, and escapades on the railroad tracks will be remembered and retold for generations to come. Mary is predeceased by her husband, Bill, and son, Patrick and three siblings in Ireland. She is survived by her brother, John, and his family in Oregon, children Kathy (Dan) Brands, Maggie (Bruce) Donald, Joan (Bob) Cooper, Tom (Karen) Fitzgerald, and Mike (Holly) Fitzgerald, and daughter-in-law, Lynda, all of whom learned the value of helping one another in a time of need. Grandchildren Daniel and Nick Brands, Katie and Jalin Fitzgerald, Kathy Malloy, Lesa Bowles, Teresa (Jason) Hawks, Lloyd (Hillary) Taylor, Sean Fitzgerald, and Chris and Dylan Fitzgerald, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild also survive her. Mary enjoyed a long life due to the wonderful care and support of Dr. James Morgan, and her daughter, Kathy, whose selfless devotion allowed her to live independently until the end of her life. A devout Catholic, she took time each and every day to say her rosary. In her memory, a rosary will be held at St. Rita's Church in Tacoma on January 5 at 7:00 p.m. followed by a funeral mass on Friday, January 6 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Rita's. Arrangements have been made by Gaffney Funeral Home. Memorial donations can be sent to the Faith in Action Program at Saint Rita's Parish.

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Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) from Jan. 4 to Jan. 5, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for MARY FITZGERALD

11 Entries

Phil and M.J. Bates

January 6, 2012

Our condolences to all the family. Your Neighbors,

Angie Lapkin

January 6, 2012

Seeing her picture made me cry. She was an awesome beyond belief lady! I miss going over to her house and chatting. Last time I saw her she told me to call and come over more often. I'm so sad I never did. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys! Love you. Angie

Kathy/Chelsey Roos

January 5, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Kim Reeder

January 5, 2012

Words seem inadequate to express the sadness I feel for you and your family. Mary was such an amazing woman, I feel blessed to have known her.

January 5, 2012

My Mom worked with Mary at UPS and thought the world of her. I was fortunate to meet and speak with her over the years and remember her as a sweet and kind woman. Kathy, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Charlene Erway Shafer

January 5, 2012

My condolences at the loss of your mother. Mom's are sorta the glue that holds the family together; remain "stuck" together. Share your stories with each other and cherish your memories. Lord Bless-Robyn Horg

Jill McDonald

January 5, 2012

You all have my Deepest Sympathies. I was saddened when my sister Holly and Mike called to wish me a Happy Birthday on 12/31 11. We then talked in length about Marys death and the impact it has already had on the entire Fitzgerald family.Thank You Cathy for caring each and every day for your Mom.I met her years ago when my sister and Mike were getting married and just loved her stories . She would always make me laugh with some of her chosen words. My last visit with her was July 2010 and I thought at age 89 she looked great and the stories were just as good. May God Bless her and hold her in his arms. I pray that God Blesses all of you too. That was a very beautifully written obituary. With Love and Prayer, Jill McDonald (Holly's sister)

Mickey Wright

January 4, 2012

I am so sorry to hear about Mary. I have many fond memories as a child, growing up with her as my "second mom". She would read our tea leaves and fascinate us with stories of her homeland....and yes, I do remember the one about the railroad tracks. Summer nights sitting on the front porch spitting watermelon seeds out into the front yard only to have them sprouting into plants, her garden near the alley where we would pick green beans to be used as prizes for our relay races. But what I cherish most of all was her love for all the neighborhood kids who she treated as her own. I know she will be greatly missed.

January 4, 2012

And we lose yet another of our honored old gaurd. May dear Mary rest in peace with her beloved Bill and Patrick. I'am honored to have grown up with the Fitzgerald kids. From the Elms family our deepest condolances.

Jennifer Porter (Malloy)

January 4, 2012

You will always be "Grandma Fitz" to me. I had always loved when Maggie would bring Kathy and I to visit you. My memories of Kathy and I singing and dancing on your front porch, playing in your back yard and sitting around your kitchen table will stay with me forever. You were always so funny and you will truely be missed by everyone who was fortunate to meet you! God Bless you and Heaven has received a colorful, loving, wonderful woman!

January 4, 2012

I am so saddened by the passing of Mary. Her beautiful face brings back so many memories of growing up next door to you all. Her hugs after the earthquake, blackberry picking before 21st went all the way through, talks around the kitchen table, as teenagers being told that everything we had done, we going to do, or might even think of doing was a mortal sin, seeing the joy she took in all of you, and knowing that she was a safe harbor in the storm of life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Roberta

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