Rose Lynne Connell Fitzgerald

Rose Lynne Connell Fitzgerald

Rose Lynne Connell Fitzgerald passed away May 22, 2008 at the Waterford. She was the daughter of Elias Adrian Connell and Rose Roberts Connell. She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Fitzgerald Jr., her parents, her sisters, Lucille Weatherby Ward and Mary Elizabeth Douglas, and her brother Elias Adrian, Jr. She is survived by her son, William Fitzgerald III of Dallas and his wife Judy, and her daughter, R. Lynne Fitzgerald of Shreveport, several nieces, nephews and numerous friends.

Rose was born March 4, 1914 on Dogwood Plantation, where the LSUS campus is located today. She graduated from Byrd High School in 1934. She met her husband, Bill Fitzgerald at Centenary College. After she graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1937, they married. As a young mother Rose wrote articles for magazines and children's stories. She earned her Masters in Counseling, and her Doctorate in School Administration from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha and Delta Kappa Gamma sororities, PEO and the Women's Department Club.

She was an active member of Broadmoor United Methodist Church since 1945 when she served as their first Youth Educational Director. She also served as a volunteer at the Glen retirement Center for twenty years, and was president of UMW, Zeta Tau Alpha Alumni Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, PEO, and served on the Official Board and Board of Trustees of BUMC. Her special love was starting the Lamplighters organization at BUMC for senior adults.

She and her husband, Bill, owned Fitzgerald's Toy Shop for 17 years. Afterwards, Rose served in the Caddo school system. She taught at Broadmoor and was a counselor at Youree Drive, and Eden Gardens Junior High. She also was an assistant principal at Byrd and Huntington.

Rose and Bill traveled extensively. With close `friend, Betsy Scivique, she traveled the world for forty years. Many remember her as "Branson Rose" because she sponsored some twenty trips to Branson, Missouri, for friends and church members. She was an avid bridge player, a caring and devoted friend and mentor.

Her favorite poem was from one of her seventh grade students who wrote

Some teachers are good

Some are bad

But you're the best I ever had!

And she was that and much more to those who knew and loved her.

The family would like to thank Dr. Clarence Teagle, Agape Hospice, Elaine Honea and others including Tori, Gena, Crystal, Maude and Penny who gave such loving comfort these past few months. A special thanks to Janet Talley for her invaluable friendship and care.

Thanks also to Southland Home Health and the staff and her friends at the Waterford.

Honorary pallbearers are the Friendship Class at BUMC, the Wednesday bridge group, Delta Kappa Gamma, PEO, and UMW.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials may be made in her name to Byrd High School's R. Lynne Fitzgerald Excellence In Education Scholarship. A graveside service will be held at Forest Park Cemetery, Saturday, May 24, 2008 at 9:00 A.M. with Rev. Mack McCarter officiating. A memorial service will follow at 10:00 A.M. at Broadmoor United Methodist Church. Rose will be buried with husband Bill at Forest Park Cemetery.

Due to an oversight, the visitation that was held last evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. was inadvertently omitted from yesterday's obituary. Rose Neath Funeral Home

Marshall Street 222-0348