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Joyce Fitzgerald Obituary
Joyce Marlene Fitzgerald (Yeske) died suddenly on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Northwest Hospital in Tucson, AZ. She was 86 years old.
Joyce was born in West Hartford, CT, on June 4, 1933, she was a graduate of Hall High School in West Hartford. Joyce won her first beauty pageant at age 7 months, as well as 53 of 57 other pageants and talent contests, culminating her run as Miss Television USA 1951, Miss Connecticut 1952 and competing in the Miss America and Miss Universe pageants in 1952.
In 1953, she gave up her accomplished career as a Conover model, dancer, singer and sometimes actress to marry Naval Aviator Ensign David Earle Fitzgerald of New Haven, and embarked on a new career as a Navy wife. David and Joyce met at Hammonasset Beach in 1950, where David was Captain of Lifeguards.
During their marriage, they were stationed in Jacksonville, Monterey, CA; Buffalo, NY; Sanford, FL; Oak Harbor, WA; Pearl Harbor, HI; Portsmouth, RI; and again in Jacksonville; all while raising three children. The couple retired to Green Cove Springs, FL after David completed his 26 year Naval career. She and her husband celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on December 26, 2019.
Joyce was well known at the local golf courses, having won several tournaments and scored at least one hole-in-one. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, needlework, and especially counted cross-stitch. She was predeceased by her parents Louis and Martha Yeske (Cossmann) of West Hartford, CT; and her sister Jean Schwinn of Dubois, WY.
Joyce is survived by her husband, three children, Jody Clark (Howard), of Tallahassee, FL; Kathleen Robinson (Mark), of Tucson, AZ, and David E. Fitzgerald Jr. (Tara), of Somerville, MA, as well as grandchildren Kelly Willis (Freddy) and Ryan Clark (Amanda), Michelle and Jennifer Robinson, and Rebecca and Abigail Fitzgerald, as well as three great-grandchildren, Andrew and Amelia Willis, and Jacks Clark.
Joyce was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Private services will be held at a later date. Please remember Joyce fondly and take comfort in knowing that she lived life to the fullest.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joyce Fitzgerald
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1 Entry
Sue Koczka
January 15, 2020
A note of remembrance and sympathy. My father (Red) was dear friends with Louie for many years hunting and fishing. I grew up visiting the house and heard many proud stories of Joyce and may have met only once or twice.
Fond memories from Wethersfield
The Koczka girls.
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