Margaret Z. Fitzgerald of Millis, Massachusetts, passed away on November 17, 2022. She was 99 years old. Her final hours were spent in the company of her sons and granddaughter. The cause of death was complications arising from Alzheimer’s and Esophageal Dysphagia. She was beloved by her four sons, grandchildren, and late husband.
Marge was born on April 18, 1923 in New York City to immigrants Joseph and Anna Zachwatowicz. She grew up in the Bronx and graduated from Evander Child High School.
She earned an undergraduate teaching degree at Hunter College and went on to teach elementary school in the Chinatown neighborhood of New York City.
During her early twenties, Marge’s summers were spent as a councelor at Camp St. Helene, a camp for poor children operated by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.
She earned a masters degree at Columbia University. During the early 1950’s she worked as a civilian employee of the United States Army, teaching the children of occupational troops in Germany and France.
Marge enrolled in a PhD program at Fordham University. There she met student John J. Fitzgerald of Somerville, Massachusetts. They married in 1955.
The couple moved to Millis, Massachusetts in 1959 where they lived together—a sixty year marriage—for the remainder of their lives. They raised four boys: Christopher, Terence, Paul, and John.
During the 1960’s Marge joined a local chapter of the Catholic Daughters and also became involved with the Friends of Bethany Convent. She was a Cub Scout den mother. In the following decade she taught at Mount Saint Joseph Academy, a Catholic high school for girls.
Marge was a devout Roman Catholic. Throughout much of her life, whenever possible, she and John attended daily mass.
After retirement, Marge and John welcomed grandchildren Annie, Kevin, Lylah, Myles, and Lannah. Great granddaughter Lucy Molnar was recently born. Daughter-in-laws are Diane Fitzgerald, Jacqui Fitzgerald, Loretta Fitzgerald.
Marge’s wake will occur on Monday, November 28, at Roberts Mitchell Caruso Funeral Home at 92 Curve Street in Millis, Massachusetts during the hours of 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A funeral mass will take place on Tuesday, November 29 at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church at 82 Exchange Street in Mills, at 10:30 AM.
In lieu of flowers, consider mailing a donation in Marge’s name to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Development Office, 399 Fruit Hill Ave., N. Providence, RI 02911-2842.