VIRGINIA FITZGERALD

FITZGERALD, Virginia "Jenna" (Coakley) Of South Boston, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on August 7, 2021. Cherished wife and best friend of the late Gerard V. "Jake" Fitzgerald. Daughter of the late Daniel and Dorothy Coakley and sister of the late Daniel and M. Diane Coakley and Judith Nolan. Beloved mother of Virginia (Nina) Hayes and her husband, Richard, Maureen Norton and her husband, Lawrence, Joseph Fitzgerald and his wife Phyllis, and Daniel Fitzgerald and his wife Patricia, all of South Boston and Gerard V. Fitzgerald, Jr., and Mary Jane O'Brien and her husband, Kenneth, all of Falmouth. Loving grandmother of Cathlin Corbitt (David), Terrence and Timothy Hayes, Colleen Luzzo (Michael), Kathleen McDevitt, (Kevin), Meganne Fitzgerald, Patrick O'Brien (Molly), Lauren Wilson (Michael), Brian Norton, Catherine Beaty (Benjamin), Pierce Norton (Brittani Smith), Joseph, Brian and Lydia Fitzgerald. Jenna was predeceased by her beloved granddaughter Moira Jane Fitzgerald. Loving great-grandmother of thirteen. Also survived by her sister-in-law Catherine Fitzgerald of South Boston.

Once her children were in school, Jenna began her career as a paraprofessional in Boston Public Schools and then was an elected official to the Boston Teachers' Union for thirty-four years, retiring at the age of 85. She tirelessly negotiated equitable salaries and working conditions for her beloved paraprofessionals and substitute teachers. One of her proudest moments was receiving the Albert Shanker Award in 2006 for political activism in reforming public education. Jenna also served as a volunteer in her church and South Boston communities, and was a proud and founding member of the Gamma Row women's club. But by far, Jenna's most cherished accomplishments were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved fiercely and always encouraged to be their best. Special thanks to her friends and staff at Compass on the Bay. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Brigid Parish, 841 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127. Visitation in the O'Brien Funeral Home, 146 Dorchester Street, SOUTH BOSTON on Thursday, August 12th from 8:30-10:30am. Followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Brigid Church, 841 East Broadway, South Boston at 11am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment Cedar Grove Cemetery Dorchester.

O'Brien Funeral Home

South Boston 617-269-1600