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October 21, 2011
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, October 24, 2011 from 3-5 & 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from the funeral home, then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, Wayne, where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
Joan D. FitzGerald (nee Drake), age 79 of Sparkill, NY and formerly of Wayne, died on Friday, October 21, 2011.
Joan had worked at William Paterson University in the Sociology Department for nearly twenty years before retiring in 2008. It was at that time that she moved from Wayne to Sparkill, NY to be closer to her daughter.
Joan grew up in Rutherford, NJ and graduated from Rutherford High School in 1950. She went on to graduate from Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 1954. It was at Grove City College that Joan met Edward FitzGerald, a fellow classmate, whom she fell in love with. They were married in 1956 and enjoyed a honeymoon together in Florida. When Joan revealed several years later that she really didn’t enjoy her honeymoon destination all that much, Ed made it up to her and they had a second honeymoon in Puerto Rico, which they both enjoyed much more. Sadly, Ed passed away in 2002 and Joan was never quite the same. She had been devoted to him throughout their marriage and has missed him dearly ever since.
Joan and Ed moved to Wayne in 1962 and settled in Packanack Lake in 1972. They raised their three children there with a firm foundation at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. She was a devout member there and all of her children attended school at IHM. Joan was very active in the church, including as a Eucharistic minister. She rarely missed Sunday Mass.
Her children recall fun times with their mom, especially summer vacation. They went to the Jersey Shore just about every summer and made many wonderful memories. She was always a supportive mom; their biggest fan. She was also the one who taught them most of their ‘handy’ skills. Not only was she capable in the gardening, but she also wallpapered, laid bricks for a patio, and did most of the home repairs. She loved music and stayed loyal to the big-band sounds of the 1940’s and 50’s. She was also very thoughtful and considerate of others. She never missed a birthday or anniversary and was always punctual with her greeting cards. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she loved having her family all gathered around, with a big meal, and all the traditions that go along with the holiday. Those memories and special times will be cherished throughout their lifetimes.
Joan is survived by her three loving children; Jody Ricevuto and her husband Anthony of New City, NY, Patty Kampmann and her husband Richard of San Francisco, CA, and Ted FitzGerald and his wife Susan of Farmingdale, NJ, six grandchildren; Julie and Daniel Ricevuto, Jack and Ricky Kampmann, and Kayla and Rylee FitzGerald.
Joan was always supportive of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital during her lifetime and her family would appreciate donations in her memory be directed there. St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 322 N. Lauderdale St., Memphis, TN, 38105-2729.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, October 24, 2011 from 3-5 & 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from the funeral home, then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, Wayne, where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
October 21, 2011
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Monday, October 24, 2011 from 3-5 & 7-9 PM.
Funeral Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from the funeral home, then to Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, Wayne, where at 10:30 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered.
Joan D. FitzGerald (nee Drake), age 79 of Sparkill, NY and formerly of Wayne, died on Friday, October 21, 2011.
Joan had worked at William Paterson University in the Sociology Department for nearly twenty years before retiring in 2008. It was at that time that she moved from Wayne to Sparkill, NY to be closer to her daughter.
Joan grew up in Rutherford, NJ and graduated from Rutherford High School in 1950. She went on to graduate from Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 1954. It was at Grove City College that Joan met Edward FitzGerald, a fellow classmate, whom she fell in love with. They were married in 1956 and enjoyed a honeymoon together in Florida. When Joan revealed several years later that she really didn’t enjoy her honeymoon destination all that much, Ed made it up to her and they had a second honeymoon in Puerto Rico, which they both enjoyed much more. Sadly, Ed passed away in 2002 and Joan was never quite the same. She had been devoted to him throughout their marriage and has missed him dearly ever since.
Joan and Ed moved to Wayne in 1962 and settled in Packanack Lake in 1972. They raised their three children there with a firm foundation at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. She was a devout member there and all of her children attended school at IHM. Joan was very active in the church, including as a Eucharistic minister. She rarely missed Sunday Mass.
Her children recall fun times with their mom, especially summer vacation. They went to the Jersey Shore just about every summer and made many wonderful memories. She was always a supportive mom; their biggest fan. She was also the one who taught them most of their ‘handy’ skills. Not only was she capable in the gardening, but she also wallpapered, laid bricks for a patio, and did most of the home repairs. She loved music and stayed loyal to the big-band sounds of the 1940’s and 50’s. She was also very thoughtful and considerate of others. She never missed a birthday or anniversary and was always punctual with her greeting cards. Christmas was her favorite holiday and she loved having her family all gathered around, with a big meal, and all the traditions that go along with the holiday. Those memories and special times will be cherished throughout their lifetimes.
Joan is survived by her three loving children; Jody Ricevuto and her husband Anthony of New City, NY, Patty Kampmann and her husband Richard of San Francisco, CA, and Ted FitzGerald and his wife Susan of Farmingdale, NJ, six grandchildren; Julie and Daniel Ricevuto, Jack and Ricky Kampmann, and Kayla and Rylee FitzGerald.
Joan was always supportive of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital during her lifetime and her family would appreciate donations in her memory be directed there. St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 322 N. Lauderdale St., Memphis, TN, 38105-2729.
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