Constance Violet Fitzgerald

Constance Violet Fitzgerald of Haydenville died peacefully at her home after a seven year battle with ovarian cancer on January 25, 2019, at the age of sixty-six.

Connie was born on January 10, 1953, in Baltimore, Maryland to Louellyn Freeman Fitzgerald and Robert Edward Fitzgerald, both of who predeceased her. Connie grew up in Dundalk, Maryland, before traveling and living for short periods in North Carolina, California, Colorado, Maine, and Italy.

Connie was drawn to the Pioneer Valley in the late 1970s, with its women's bookstore, free clinics, and food coops, to attend college. She started at Stockbridge School of Agriculture before graduating with a bachelor's degree in Plant and Soil Science from UMass Amherst.

In the early 1980's while still attending college, Connie began working for the Peace Development Fund as a work-study student. She worked at PDF for over twenty-five years, as a bookkeeper, interim executive director, and Director of Administration and Finance. Unofficially, Connie served as glue, pillar, cheerleader, stabilizer, calming presence, and a good friend to many.

In 2007, Connie joined the staff of Spirit in Action as the Operations and Finance Director. Connie served on the board of the Solidago Foundation and the Meekins Library in Williamsburg where she contributed her wisdom, common sense, and loving spirit.

Connie cultivated simple pleasures and instilled that gift in her daughter, Annie. She gloried in the sunshine, fresh air, her chickens, her garden, and her home. Connie made and found sanctuary in her home; creating a peaceful and beautiful home, both inside and outside, that nourished her and others who had the pleasure of visiting.

Connie and her daughter Annie had the special joy of being good friends. Since her cancer diagnosis in 2012, Connie purposely made time for the good in life: garden tours, day trips around New England, vacations to Maine and Cape Cod, spending time with friends and family, and cultivating her home and garden.

Connie leaves behind her beloved daughter, Catherine Anne Fitzgerald, dear brother, Terrence Richard Fitzgerald, sister-in-law Deborah Fitzgerald, nephew Matthew David Fitzgerald, his wife and stepchildren, as well as many dear friends. Saying she will be missed is a monumental understatement.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions may be made to either the Cancer Connection in Northampton (www.cancer-connection.org) or the Meekins Library in Williamsburg (www.meekins-library.org).

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019, at 2:00 p.m., at Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, a simple reception to follow. She will be buried later in Williamsburg at the convenience of her family.