Anne FitzHenry

Anne FitzHenry Nov. 8, 1955 - Oct. 9, 2014 SOUTH BEND - Anne FitzHenry was a journalist with a passion for words. In a long journalism career, Anne spent 12 years working for The Associated Press as a reporter in Columbus and Toledo and as news editor, overseeing news coverage for an entire state, first in Baltimore and then in Atlanta. She was the news editor in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, overseeing the Associated Press staff covering host city news and participating in coverage of a terrorist bombing during the Games. One of the AP reporters she supervised in Atlanta, Joan Kirchner, now chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, once wrote that Anne was "a smart, tough editor who knows how to turn a good story into a great story." Anne later worked as a business desk editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and a copy editor at the Providence Journal before joining Habitat for Humanity International as a copy editor in 2011. She was most at home in a copy editor's role, cutting excess words and polishing stories until their meaning was clear. Anne FitzHenry was born on November 8, 1955. She was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. She was a proud graduate of St. Joseph High School in South Bend and graduated with a Communications Degree from the University of Evansville in 1978. Anne was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last year and had been at the Emory Health Systems in Atlanta until returning to South Bend in July. She is survived by her sister, Rosemary Zirille, and her devoted friends Chuck Niemier, Sean Coleman, Katherine Shea and Renee Kosanovich. She was not convinced that there is an after-life. But if there is, she hopes to reunite with her father, John F. FitzHenry, and her two dogs, Gemma and Ushi. Anne was an enthusiastic international traveler and an avid cook. Anne was an avid reader and valued child music instruction. Donations in her memory may be given to your local library system, the St. Joseph High School Class of '74 or any charity for abused dogs and cats or to benefit young readers and musicians. Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, and Southlawn Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.