Mary E. Fitzgerald
Wednesday, March 21, 1917
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Age:
97 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday February 26, 2015
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday February 27, 2015
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Zumbro Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Memorial Service
Date: Friday February 27, 2015
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Zumbro Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Ft. Snelling National Cemetery [ view map ]
Wednesday, March 21, 1917
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Age:
97 years old
Wednesday, March 21, 1917
Date of Death:
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Age:
97 years old
Mary E. Fitzgerald
A Memorial Service for Mary E. Fitzgerald will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2015 at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester with Pastor Vern Christopherson officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at the River Park Chapel Macken Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.
Mrs. Fitzgerald, 97, of Rochester, died Saturday February 21 at Mayo Clinic Hospital St. Marys Campus.
Mary was born March 21, 1917 in Minneapolis, MN to Archie and Eva Maude Wurtzler. She lived in Chatfield, MN from 1917 to 1943. On June 23, 1943 she married John K. Fitzgerald in Los Angeles, CA. The couple lived in Los Angeles, CA from 1943 to 1945. Mary and John moved to Rochester, MN in 1945.
Before her marriage, Mary worked as a teacher in District 98 for four years. She then worked two years in the office of Drs. Woodruff and Schuele in Chatfield. After her marriage, Mary worked for Lockheed Air Craft for two years. She later worked for twelve years in the Rochester Elementary Schools. Mary was also a supervisor at the Family Consultation Center in Rochester for 13 years until her retirement. Mary was active in the Horace Mann PTA where she held every office. She was on the Senior Citizen Board for a number of years and also on the Senior Citizen Memorial Foundation Board serving as Vice President and President. Mary was active in the Zumbro Lutheran Church Sarah Circle, serving as secretary for a number of years. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, the Fairbanks Family of America, the Horace Mann P.T.A. and the Retired Educators (R.A.R.E.)
She enjoyed flower gardening, pets, travel and was an avid reader and history buff. Mary enjoyed writing both prose and poetry. In 1997, her grandson and his wife gathered together what she had written through the years and published a book of the collection. She wrote for pleasure, but a few pieces were published.
Mary’s ancestors built the first frame house in 1636. After eight generations had lived in that house, it was put on the Historical Register and still stands today as a museum in Dedham, Massachusetts. When the Heritage House in Rochester was built, it was the home of her great uncle, Timothy Whiting.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, 3 brothers; Herbert, Paul and Larry Wurtzler and 1 sister; Ada Uhl. She is survived by her daughter; Linda (David) Griggs of Rochester and one grandson; Tony (Tracy) Griggs of Duluth, MN and two great grandsons; Logan and Owen Griggs.
Memorials are suggested to the Heritage House Victorian Museum of Rochester located in Central Park P.O. Box 512 Rochester, MN 55903 or Zumbro Lutheran Church.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Mary E. Fitzgerald has received the following condolences.
Linda,
I am the daughter of Paula Kolstad (daughter of Mary's brother, Paul). I am so sorry for your loss. I know I spoke with you at my mom's funeral a year and a half ago. I'm sorry but I didn't hear of the passing of your mom until way after the service. Your mom lived a full, long life. I always liked your mom and dad and they were both such social people. I always thought your mom looked so much like my aunt Kay (or perhaps the other way around). And, the twinkle in her eyes always reminded me of my grandpa. I know you have many, many memories and that is what really counts once we lose our loved ones.
If there are any available, I would love a copy of your mom's writings.
I'll send you a letter (I still have your address) with my contact information.
Take care and may God's love comfort you at this time of sorrow.
Please accept our deepest sympathy. May those precious memories be foremost in your hearts and minds during this difficult time.
( Isaiah 25:8)
Linda, Dave and family,
Deepest sympathy....So sorry for your loss. You were so luck to have her for that many years...my prayers are with you.
To Linda Griggs and family members:
Ella and I had planned to attend either this evening's visitation or the service tomorrow; however, I have had to cut back a lot of my activities due to chemo and radiation treatment and often do not have much energy left for doing much of what I would like to do.
Thus, Ella and I will extend our sympathy in this manner for the loss of your mother (and relative).
As you know, Mary joined Family Service Rochester (then Family Consultation Center) early in 1965 when the agency formed. She led our homemaker service for 14-15 years before her retirement, the program expanding from three to nine homemakers under her direction during that period. Services changed too as home care expanded a lot in terms of services for elderly persons. We added meals-on wheels, handy worker and visitation services as well, developing another section to compensate for the growth. Your mother was well appreciated by those under her supervision, and all the rest of her colleagues.
We are sorry for your loss, but 97 years is not a bad stretch of life for any of us and her achievements helped many people. It is always hard to lose your mother, however, and any loss is depressing and stressful. You certainly have our thoughts and condolences.
Both Ella and I send our love as you say "goodbye".
Dear Linda; thinking of you at this time and sending a warm hug. Susan
It is always hard to lose a love one. May the good memories you have help at this time.
Linda and Family. I knew your mother thru the condo association as I worked at the Holiday Inn for years. I always thought your mother was one of the most put together woman. She was always dressed so nice etc. She will be missed. Sorry for your loss.
So very sorry for your loss, We have been thinking of you all. God bless at this difficult time, Leroy and Kathy
Linda and David,
We are thinking of you at this sad time and send all our love.
Zabelle and Bob