Fitzmaurice, Jane
RENSSELAER - Jane A. (Wilson) Fitzmaurice, age 78, passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's, in Albany, after a valiant fight with a lengthy illness. Jane was born in Troy on July 17, 1945, and was the youngest child of the late Henry Guy Wilson and Margaret M. (Kelly) Wilson. She attended St. Paul the Apostle School, and graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1963. Jane then entered Mercy High, and took the vows of the Sisters of Mercy as Sr. Mary Michelyn, leaving a few years later to instead raise a family. She continued her studies at Maria College, and completed her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology at Niagara University in 1969. Jane's long and influential career as a social worker began at the former Mercy Health and Rehabilitation Center in Auburn, and continued in the Capital District at the Geriatric Care Unit of St. Peter's Hospital in 1974, soon followed by the birth of her first daughter, Elizabeth. In 1976, a chance encounter reunited Jane with a fellow former Camp Scully counselor, Timothy P. Fitzmaurice, who quickly became the love of her life. The two were married on April 15, 1978, and the family of three settled in Clifton Park and soon became a family of five, adding a second daughter, Erin; and son, Timothy John. Upon the opening of Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland, in the early 1990s, Jane's two decades of experience made her the perfect candidate for the center's Director of Social Work. It was here that her drive, her compassion, and her ability to see residents not merely as patients, but as respected individuals, brought comfort and peace to thousands of people and their loved ones. After 30 years as a geriatric social worker, Jane's focus shifted from assisting those at their twilight to those at their dawn. She brought her experience with individualized care to her positions of guidance counselor, life skills coach, and religious educator for the middle school students at LaSalle Institute, in Troy. After a decade of teaching these young men, Jane took her skills, her love of children, and her passion for reading to Blessed Sacrament School, first to the Kindergarten classroom, and later, to her pride and joy, the library, where children from three to 13 excitedly looked forward to their time with "Mrs. Fitz." Jane will be deeply missed for her many gifts: of kindness, of talent, of time, of attention, or sometimes just actual gifts, as she was an incredibly enthusiastic shopper. Her lasting impact will be felt for generations. Aside from her parents, Jane was predeceased by her aunt and uncle, Griffith B. and Dorothy G. (Kelly) Lewis, who took her in after the deaths of her parents; as well as her beloved husband, Timothy P. Fitzmaurice; her brother, John J. Wilson, FSC; her sister, Mary Beth (Wilson) Pezzula; and her brother-in-law, John J. Fitzmaurice, Jr. Jane is survived by her children, Elizabeth J. Perrins, and husband, Ken Adamczyk, of Northville, Erin M. Fitzmaurice, of Troy, and Timothy J. Fitzmaurice, and wife, Lisa, of Delmar; as well as her grandchildren, Stephan C. Perrins, Olivia J. Perrins, and Maeve I. Fitzmaurice. She will be mourned by her brother-in-law, Carmine Pezzula; her nephews, Michael (Melanie) Pezzula and Matthew Pezzula; her niece, Melissa (Robert) Dawes. Her journey will be celebrated by her dear cousins, G. Richard (late Maryrose) Lewis, Ronald (late Barbara) Lewis, Gary and Patricia Lewis, and Peter and Glenda Lewis; as well as her sister-in-law and weekly breakfast companion, Connie Fitzmaurice. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Jane by the Reverend John Provost, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 11 a.m., in St. Henry's Church, Averill Park, N.Y. The Rite of Committal and interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Friends are invited to attend and may also visit with Jane's family, at the church, prior to the Mass, on Wednesday, from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Immediately following the interment, the family invites all mourners to a luncheon, in honor of Jane, at Wolferts Roost Country Club, 120 Van Rensselaer Boulevard, Albany, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jane's name to the Blessed Sacrament School Library, 605 Central Avenue, in Albany, N.Y., 12206; or the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, N.Y., 12208. Visit www.bowenandparkerbros.com to leave a message of condolence and for driving directions.