Virginia Lee Fitzgerald

Virginia Brungard Fitzgerald died peacefully on September 16, 2025, at age 93.

Born Virginia Lee Brungard in St. Louis, MO, on May 28, 1932, she was the daughter of Virginia O'Connell and Edward G. Brungard Sr.

Virginia was a graduate of Visitation Academy, attended Maryville College of the Sacred Heart, and graduated from St. Louis University with a BS degree in medical records. It was there that she met Edmond Fitzgerald Jr., a student at the Medical School. They were married on July 17, 1954, in St. Louis. They moved to Port Huron and settled into a home on Lake Huron in the summer of 1961.

She guided an active household of eight children and still managed to pursue her own interests in arts, culture, and athletics in the Port Huron community. She, her husband and the children were active in local hockey, figure skating, water sports, cross-country skiing, tennis, golf, and soccer.

Virginia treasured deep and enduring friendships through her participation and leadership in the following organizations – the Great Books Foundation, as a Junior Great Books leader; Port Huron Musicale; the Blue Water Arts Committee; the International Symphony; the Blue Water Mental Health Clinic (now Blue Water Counseling); Lake Huron Medical Center; and the Blue Water Community Food Depot.

She returned to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival every season from 1967 – 2019; and she and Dr. Fitzgerald had their "date nights" on Monday evenings at Sarnia Film Night. They also loved their Friday morning season tickets to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. And then there was tennis and her 50-year membership in the Ladies Association of Monday Bums, the LAMBS. Virginia competed in several Robinson Tennis Tournaments and rarely missed attending.

The family loved gathering everyone for trips to Mackinac Island for family celebrations. Medical conventions, children spread out across the country, and then retirement provided many opportunities for travel across the United States, the Caribbean, Italy, France, and Ireland.

Virginia is survived by her adoring husband of 71 years, Edmond, and her eight children: Margaret Harrington (William), Robert (Terry), Virginia, Patrick (Daniela), Constance, John, Elizabeth Thomson (Jeffrey), and Edmond III (Nicole). Grandchildren Clare Jahromi (Kasra), Kathryn Harrington, Martha Harding (Adam), Mary Grace Sillies (Luke), Mary L Mullen, Joseph Mullen (Judine), Edmond Fitzgerald, McCarrick Fitzgerald, Robert Thomson, William Thomson, James Fitzgerald, and Elaine Fitzgerald. Greatgrandchildren Virginia Harding, Amelia Harding, Josephine Harding, Aubrey Mullen, and Bridgette Sillies. Three new greatgrandchildren were eagerly anticipated in the coming months.

Also survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Margaret Fitzgerald DeSantis. She was especially devoted to her brother's children - Cecelia Bahn, Edward G. Brungard III, Eric Brungard, Susan Weinrich, Daniel Brungard, their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Additionally, Stephanie deSantis, Michelle Bentley, Michael deSantis, Akira Fitzgerald and their spouses, children, and grandchildren.

Predeceased by parents, Virginia and Edward G. Brungard Sr.; her adored brother, Edward G. Brungard Jr.; aunts Gertrude O. Schunk and Marguerite B. MacDonough; brothers-in-law Robert S. Fitzgerald and Michele DeSantis; in-laws; Edith and Edmond W. Fitzgerald Sr.; and a niece Prudence Brungard.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday, September 19, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Grace Memorial-Smith Chapel, 1525 Hancock Street, Port Huron, MI 48060. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1331 7th Street, Port Huron, MI 48060. Those who wish to watch the live-streamed service can do so by clicking the following link at the time of the service.

https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/virginia-fitzgerald-funeral-service

Virginia's family would like to thank the staff at Marwood Nursing and Rehab for the wonderful care they provided.

Memorials are suggested to the Blue Water Community Food Depot, Blue Water Hospice, or the Port Huron Musicale.