Patricia Anne Fitzgerald

1954 - 2018

Forest Hill, Maryland April 8, 1954 – August 16, 2018 Born to Sibylle Helwig Fitzgerald and James Edmund Fitzgerald Jr. on April 8, 1954, "Patti" was raised in the LaSalle neighborhood of Niagara Falls, New York. A precocious kid, she flourished at Rita Moretti's 95th Street School, making friends she kept throughout her life. When she reached ninth grade the family moved to West River Road on Grand Island, the place her heart subsequently considered home no matter where else she lived. At Grand Island High School Patti studied under the innovative Humanities teacher and Christian preacher Paul Houser, a pedagogical adventure she treasured until her death. Patti accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior on April 27, 1972; she has now run her race with endurance, perseverance, and resolve, not aiming for perfection but for progress every day. Patricia is the beloved wife of Paul R. Gartelmann of Forest Hill, Maryland. They married in June 1978 after meeting in an English class at the State University of New York at Buffalo five years earlier. She is the esteemed sister of J. Edmund Fitzgerald (Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin), Daniel P. Fitzgerald and his wife Dawn C. (Grand Island, New York), Mark N. Fitzgerald (Rio Rancho, New Mexico), and Matthew C. Fitzgerald (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania); welcomed member of the Robert and Marilyn Gartelmann family of Long Island, New York; devoted cousin and aunt to many; and surrogate mother to Richard J. Griffiths and his brood in Nether Heyford, England. Pat was also blessed with an abundance of loyal friends (notably longtimers Janet and Doug Schollenberger of Glen Arm, Maryland; Lori and Kurt Olszewski of Forest Hill; and Terry Hickox of Tampa, Florida), caring neighbors along Pleasantville Road, and supportive colleagues from her careers in marketing and consulting architecture/engineering. These relationships sustained her spirit, particularly when her lymphoma diagnosis hobbled her ability to travel, cook, attend concerts, and follow numerous other enthusiasms. A celebration of Pat's life will be held later at the convenience of the family. Flowers are gratefully declined but anyone moved to donate to the Humane Society of Harford County at 2208 Connolly Road, Fallston, Maryland 21047 will receive the Summer the Wonder Dog Seal of Approval.