Helen D. FitzGerald

1951 - 2024

Helen D. FitzGerald

NORTHAMPTON, MA - Helen D. FitzGerald, 72, of Northampton was called safely home to Heaven on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 surrounded by her family. Deeply regretted by her devoted and beloved daughter Mara. her sister Brigid, brother Batt, nieces, nephews, cousins and Tom and the FitzGerald family and good friends. Helen's only daughter Mara was the center of her world, Mara will miss her mother greatly. Helen was born into a hill sheep farm in the valley of Gleann na nGealt in Camp on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry on 8th October, 1951. She is the youngest of three children of the family of Tom Batt and Mary O Connor, who predeceased her. Helen walked 3 miles with her siblings, Brigid and Batt and neighbors to the local Camp National School morning and evening. Helen made lifelong friends at Camp school. We all share great childhood memories of our childhood with our loving sister. Her mother, Mary was very artistic and Helen started drawing and painting at a very young age. So it was no surprise when teaching art became her chosen career. Helen attended the Crawford Municipal College of Art in Cork, before taking up a teaching post at The Abbey, Loreto Girls Secondary School in Rathfarnham, Dublin. Her most precious artwork is a portrait of Tom Crean, the Antarctic explorer a native of the village of Annascaul. Helen's portrait of Tom Crean is hanging on the walls of some local businesses in the village of Annascaul and Camp and in Tralee. Helen went to the USA in the 1980's and America became her home. She always said she loved America and she had great friends, her loving and caring personality again endeared her to many. She taught after moving to the United States at the Green House School in Salem, Massachusetts. She married Thomas M. FitzGerald, and they settled in Northampton. Helen taught art for the Y's Kids Learning center in Northampton for 15 years. Helen had a way of bringing out the individual hidden talents in children, teaching many kids to recognize their talents in art & design. Helen was deeply religious, attended Mass daily and her faith helped her greatly in her journey through life. She was a constant presence at adoration. She was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish family in Northampton. She was very fond of animals and had a caring and gentle way about her that they recognized. Helen loved to sing, and her Irish charm and personality were ever in the forefront to her family and friends. Helen leaves her devoted daughter, Mara FitzGerald of Northampton. Her former husband and friend, Thomas M. FitzGerald (Margaret) of Northampton. Her brother and sister; Bartholomew "Batt" O'Connor of Limerick City, Co. Limerick, IRL and Brigid O'Connor (Vincent) of Camp. Co. Kerry, IRL., many nieces, nephew's great nieces, great nephews and cousins, here and in Ireland.

CALLING HOURS AT AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 BRIDGE RD., NORTHAMPTON, WILL BE MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024 IN THE EVENING FROM 5:00 TO 7:00 P.M. A FUNERAL MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED ON TUESDAY AT 10:00 A.M. MEETING DIRECTLY AT ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH, 99 KING ST., NORTHAMPTON. Helen will be interred with her family in Ireland. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 87 beacon St., Florence, MA. 01062