Virginia Catherine Fitzmaurice

1948 - 2014

Virginia Catherine Fitzmaurice
Aug. 5, 1948-Feb. 8, 2014
Resident of Santa Cruz
Virginia Catherine McNally Fitzmaurice, a long time activist for women's rights and political causes, died February 8, 2014, after struggling with Frontal Temporal Disorder (FTD) for more than nine years. She was 65. Ginny, who worked at UC Santa Cruz since the 1980's in residential programs, retired in 2005 after a long association with Kresge and with Porter College, from which she also graduated in 1980.
In 1968 Ginny hopped a freight to Mexico City where she studied art until the Olympic riots forced her to leave. Fortunately, she came home in time to meet her future husband, Tim. Together they went to People's Park and were never separated for the next 45 years.
Thanks to the support of family and friends, Ginny stayed at home throughout her illness. With the crucial help from Hospice of Santa Cruz County, a non-profit, and Lifespan Home Care, as well as PAMF's Palliative Care, the last year was full of exceptionally sincere and skillful care and respect.
Her surviving family, including Jason, Erika, Oona, and Briton, would ask that you continue her activism by supporting the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice of Santa Cruz County, and the struggle for research, and against the financial exploitation of those suffering from dementias of all sorts, especially FTD. Her life will be celebrated by a gathering at the Home of Chris Krohn and Rachel O'Malley, 123 Green Street on Saturday, April 19, from 3-5pm.