Carol Ann Fitzgerald (née Kenney) passed away surrounded by the people she loved on September 20, 2016. Carol was deeply grateful for all of the support that she and her family received as she courageously battled pancreatic cancer.

Born on November 4, 1964, Carol was a beautiful daughter to Bill and Sue, and a thoughtful sister to Anne and Jim. Carol attended grade school at Park Elementary, 6-8th grades at Turnbull Middle School and moved on to San Mateo High School where she made lifelong friends. Carol received a BA in Sociology from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), building a sisterhood at Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

Carol and Bobby Fitzgerald started dating in high school, dashing off to the Serra prom in the convertible T-Bird and nurturing a long-distance romance for years until they married on August 4, 1990. Over 35 years, Bobby and Carol shared everything life has to offer: love, laughter, grief, friendship, travel, and rooting for Notre Dame football.

Carol's greatest joy were her children Erin, Ryan and Quinn. She found her deepest purpose as their mother; loving, caring for, and guiding her children into the exceptional people they are today. She always said that they are her greatest accomplishment in life, and that she could not be more proud of who they are becoming.

Carol knew how to make everything beautiful. Every special moment was filled with flowers, photos, color, and unique touches. She would go to ends of the earth to show the people she loved how special they were to her.

Carol was a natural born leader who brought grace, panache, and a wonderful sense of humor to all her efforts. She never missed the midnight opener of a blockbuster movie or a Black Friday sunrise alongside Colleen, her ultimate companion and caregiver. Her adventurous spirit found peace in the places she loved most: Paris, Hawaii, and Miraval in Arizona.

Carol is celebrated by friends and community members across the Bay Area, especially those family members who strive to honor her legacy, including: her husband, Bob Fitzgerald; their children, Erin, Ryan, and Quinn; her parents, William and Susan Kenney; her sister, Anne Kenney; her brother, James Kenney with his wife Heidi; her in-laws, Bob and Mary Ann Fitzgerald; Jason, Colleen, Isabelle, and Joey Borges, Paul, Maureen, Mary, and Kate Fitzgerald, Nancy and Mark Metzler, and Amy Fitzgerald and Kamika Dunlap. Carol was loved by many, especially Steve and Anita Leary, her fiercest "cancer warriors."

As Carol considered her future, she often wondered, "Where will I be?" The answer is simple: You are in our hearts, in our souls. You are with us wherever we are, wherever we go, whatever we do. You will be with us forever. Love never ends.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Carol's life on Friday, October 7, 2016 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, San Mateo, CA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Camp Kesem, University of Oregon Chapter. Camp Kesem gives children whose parents have been touched by cancer a free week at Camp, staffed by passionate, volunteer college students.

Donate online at: http://campkesem.org/oregon/donate
Or mail a check to: PO Box 51194, Eugene, OR, 97405

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 24 to Oct. 5, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Carol Fitzgerald

25 Entries

Ellen n chris ruona

November 11, 2023

Father Charles

October 8, 2016

J.M.J. I was very sorry to hear of the passing of +Carol. May she rest in peace. I will offer the Mass for her Soul's happy repose. May Jesus, Mary and Joseph comfort all those who mourn the passing of +Carol from this life.

Dave Collins

October 7, 2016

Bob and family. I just want you to know that your entire family is in our prayers during this very sad time.

October 6, 2016

I will be praying for God's grace to comfort your family. So sorry for your loss.
Katherine

James Maher

October 6, 2016

Fitzgerald Family,

So sad to hear of Carol's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Be strong.

Jim and Joelene Maher

Dave Kemmer

October 5, 2016

I was a high school friend of Carol's. I am saddened by the news, but will always remember her incredibly bright smile and warm personality.

Janice Cregan

October 4, 2016

4 October 2016

Dear Fitzgerald Family,

I was most saddened to read of the young death of Carol Ann Fitzgerald. I wanted to let you know that the good memories of her life and time here on this Earth will always be remembered. Please know that you are in my prayers, my heart and memory.
Our great-grandfather was on board the Irish potato famine ship, The Edmund Fitzgerald. He was originally born in Ireland in 1802. The potato famine was in 1849 - at which time he and so many others were forced to board the famine ships and set sail.
His ship eventually came into Port in the San Francisco Bay. It was brought into what was known as the Canal and became the history and origin of the University of Santa Clara Irish-potato-famine- ship- church.
The Stations of the Cross were carved at sea. They are now in a museum underneath Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. There was a fire in the ship-church back about 1969. The Marine and Green Beret unit rebuilt the new Mission Church in the middle of the surrounding campus of what became known as Santa Clara University. The original weathervane from the Edmund Fitzgerald is at the college campus with some of the original wood from the vessel.
Great grandfather became known as the writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. I always enjoyed reading such fine literature and truly enjoyed the film "The Great Gatsby" based on one of his great literary works. "The Last Tycoon," "Tender is the Night," "Letters to His Daughter, Scottie" are all most noteworthy and memorable. Most enjoyabe as far as true literary masterpieces from the mind of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

I was truly sorry to read of a death in the long legacy of the Fitzgeralds in this country. I'm sure Carol Ann will be fondly remembered by all.

Please know that you are in my prayers. I will light a vigil candle in your honor and memory.

Sincerely Yours In Christ,

Janice Marie Cregan
Harvey John Fitzgerald-Kennedy-Cregan, Jr.
Sara Martha Burritt

Knecht Family

October 3, 2016

We are heart broken of the news of Carol' s passing.
No words can express our sorrow, For your loss. The Knecht family will always remember Carol and her smiling face at all the Padre baseball games and even our journeys during summer ball. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Gone but Never Forgotten. You will be missed.
RIP Carol

October 3, 2016

Our hearts go out to the Fitzgerald and Kinney families. Carol has made such a huge difference in the time she graced the world with her warmth, kindness, wit and courage. Her legacy lives on in the many friends whose lives were touched by Carol, and in the three amazing children she and Bob love so much. God bless you all,

Sending our love,

The Connelly Family

Jacob Wang

September 30, 2016

Bob: Hope each day has been better than the day before for you & your children. Forget about the Warriors for a few weeks if it takes that long to get thru this.

Andrew Martin

September 30, 2016

Bob,
Your KNBR family stands with you, Erin, Ryan, and Quinn as you mourn the loss of your beautiful wife and mother. May your days be comforted by a lifetime of memories you were blessed to have and the joy & love she shared with each of you.

Andrew Martin

donna williams

September 29, 2016

Dearest Bob, Colleen and family,
My deep and sincere condolences during your grief and celebration of the beautiful spirit that was Carol. May your sadness be gradually replaced by the realization that her brief life was deeply meaningful in all of you. Her love and commitment to you all carried her longer and farther than most souls with pancreatic cancer can endure and her wings will now carry her wherever you go.
You all were her deepest inspiration.
XO
Donna Williams

September 29, 2016

Bob and family
I am so sorry for your loss.
Art Gates II
Padres 84

September 27, 2016

Bob & Family,

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Carol. You are all in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Warm regards,
Dana & Kim Caldwell

September 26, 2016

Bob, Erin, Ryan and Quinn,

We will always remember the love Carol had for you and all of your family! You were so blessed to have such a wonderful mother, wife and friend and we will all miss Carol.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Love,

Colleen and Michael

Jim

September 26, 2016

Rest in Peace Carol; prayers to Bob and the entire family

September 26, 2016

Bob,

I so sorry for your loss and please know that you, Erin, Ryan and Quinn and your entire extended family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Fondly,
Jim Wilson

Diane, Geena and Eric Mustin

September 26, 2016

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Carol was such an amazing spirit who always has a smile on her face. She will be missed. Our deepest condolences.

Roxie Folsom

September 26, 2016

Remembering how happy I was when I learned that Carol became and Alpha Delta Pi at UCLA becoming my sister for life. She had all the right qualities. My heart goes out to all family members.

Cris Castro

September 25, 2016

Bob, I never had the pleasure of knowing Carol, but I always heard marvelous words about her. You and the family are in my prayers and thoughts. A loss like this is very difficult but is made easier by all the loving family and friends that will surround you in your time of grief and the wonderful memories you shared.

Bill and Judy Fitzgerald

September 25, 2016

Carol will never be forgotten! That strong, beautiful woman will live in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Bob, I know you will carry on, as will the children. I cannot imagine the sorrow in your hearts. We love you.

Nancy Fitzgerald-Metzler

September 25, 2016

Missing our beautiful Carol every day

September 24, 2016

I am deeply saddened by the news of Carol's passing. She was such a kind and loving person.
Ilissa Lev Best

September 24, 2016

Bob, Erin, Ryan and Quinn,

We are very sorry to hear the sad news about Carol's passing. She was a wonderful women, friend, mother and wife and was cherished by everyone who knew her.

The loss of someone dear to us in never easy, but may you take comfort in the fact that you are surrounded by people who love and care for you.

Our deepest condolences.

The Fujinagas

Creighton Fung

September 24, 2016

Bob, I'm so sorry for your loss. May you and your family hold her memory close to your hearts forever.

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