Elinor Grace Fitzpatrick

With broken hearts, gratitude for her life and knowledge she is at peace, the family of Elinor Grace ("Ellie") Fitzpatrick, 79, of Fort Pierce mourns her passing on Wednesday, September 3, after succumbing to injuries from a motor vehicle accident. A beloved light in the lives of many, Ellie is survived by her sons, Randy Kaptein (Deb) of Camp Verde, Arizona, Rob Kaptein of Orlando, Florida, grandchildren Rhiannon, Nicholas and Olivia of Arizona, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and a large circle of treasured friends. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Elinor Fitzpatrick, brothers Richard (Dolores) and James (Marianne), sister, Gina Irvin (Jerry), ex-husband, Cornelius Kaptein (Eileen) and best friend, Nan Gibbs.

With her young family, Ellie first moved to St. Lucie County in 1981. To be near her beloved grandchildren, she spent 2011 through 2021 in Payson and Dewey, Arizona, before returning to Fort Pierce in late 2021. She was a Reiki Master, an ordained Spiritual Path minister, a follower of Course in Miracles and leader of a monthly Sunday meditation group in Old Fort Park in Fort Pierce. Ellie was an artist, and Monday "Art on the Porch" with the Fort Pierce Art Club was a favorite activity. She believed in miracles, angels, the beauty of nature, family, friendship and cherishing the simple things. Ellie loved animals. She never walked past a dog without asking to say "hi."

The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the Fort Pierce Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol, especially Sergeant Fenton and Corporal Griffin, for their kind assistance.

Please remember Ellie when you look at the sky, especially if you are lucky enough to fulfill her lifelong dream of seeing the Northern Lights. If you feel moved to make a donation in her memory, please consider the Fort Pierce Animal Adoption Center or any humane animal shelter of your choice.

The family will schedule a celebration of life at a later date.