"How lucky my children were to have Barb as one of their teachers at Cathedral. She was truly a caring, inspiring, and most of all a wonderfully fun teacher. Many packs of Smarties candy were emptied out of pockets and backpacks at our house thanks to Mrs. Fitz! Our thoughts are with John and her three children. Please know that Barb will hold a special place in the heart of all of her students and with their parents as well. She was a difference maker in and out of the classroom. God Bless you Goody Fitz."
In loving memory of
Barbara Ann Fitzgerald
December 31, 1969 - December 31, 1969
Barbara A. Fitzgerald, 62, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 18, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. Barb was born in Jacksonville, Florida on April 15, 1948 to Archie J. Clapp, Jr. and Mary L. Clapp (Barrosse).
Barb was from a military family and relocated frequently during her youth. She graduated from Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia in 1966 and attended Stetson University in Florida before transferring to Marian College of Indianapolis where she received her Bachelors degree in 1970. Barb earned her Masters degree from IU in 1976.
Barb taught at Bishop O?Connell High School in Virginia, worked at the Saturday Evening Post briefly and began her teaching career in Indianapolis at Bishop Chatard High School. In 1989, she returned to teaching at Cathedral High School. While at Cathedral, Barb taught a variety of courses, including English and Etymology. During her tenure she served as Chair of the English Department, assisted on many committees and was twice honored as Teacher of the Year (2003 and 2009). Barb loved being a teacher and her greatest professional joy came from her time in the classroom with her students. She cared for her students, past and present.
Barb was deeply devoted to her family. She was an avid reader and was well-known for her Jeopardy prowess. She treasured her travels to the beach. She was a remarkably keen listener and a beacon of excellent advice. She will be missed by her many dear friends, colleagues and students.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, John and three children: Lindsay, Tracy, and Adam (Angela). Other survivors include her siblings James Edward Clapp (Anne Hicks), Jeffrey Michael Clapp, and Mary Janice Clapp along with six nephews and three nieces.
She was predeceased by her parents, Archie and Mary, and her sister Mary Elizabeth Clapp and brother Archie Jerome ?Jerry? Clapp III.
Family and friends will gather at Cathedral High School, 5225 E. 56th Street on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Cathedral High School on Friday, April 23, 2010 at 10:00 am. Burial will be held at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.
Care and arrangements have been entrusted to the Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel 740 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis. You are invited to visit www.leppertmortuary.com where you may sign the guest book, share a personal message with the family or make a memorial contribution to the Barbara A. Fitzgerald Endowed Fund at Cathedral High School or the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO).
Tributes
"My friend Barb knew what to say, how to say, and how to diagram it! This smart and hilarious friend will be sorely missed. My life is better for having known and loved her. "
"Probably one of the most genuine and caring people we have ever known. She will be remembered always and missed even more !!"
"I am truly heartbroken. The world was a better place while Mrs. Fitz was in it. She taught me throughout my four years at Cathedral (Class of 2002). I have lived in California for the last 8 years and everytime I pass San Juan Capistrano, I think of her and the swallows she adored. She was the most kind, compassionate, caring, loving, patient, and gentle soul I will ever have privilege of knowing. She was truly a gift to all the lives she touched. She taught me to believe in my abilities and challenge myself. I owe so much of my success today to the lessons she taught me not only about writing, English, and the love of reading, but also about life and kindness. She will be deeply missed. She has touched her students in more ways than we could ever express nor thank her for. I love you, Mrs. Fitz, and will miss you always. Thank you for believing in me more than I believed in myself."
"John, please know that you, your daughters and son will remain in my thoughts and prayers. The world has lost a gem in Barb. She was bright and funny and a joy to be around."
"We were shocked and saddened to hear about Barb. Please know that you and your family will be in our prayers, and we sincerely hope your family's faith will enable you to get through this trying time. We can't make it Thu evening, we'll be out of town"
"Our four children graduated from CHS and loved Mrs. Fitzgerald. Each of them had her for two classes Sophomore year and I remember how much each of them enjoyed her. Our youngest child Danny, is an English major because of Mrs. Fitz. Tragic loss for all of us and the CHS community."
"John, Don and I can't believe you have lost your soulmate. We are so sorry. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the kids."
"JOHN, OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. "
"Although I didn't have the pleasure of having Mrs. Fitzgerald for English, I signed up for her etymology class just because I heard so many good things about her! Her love for people was so evident in her teaching. Her personality lit up the room. We were all blessed to have had her touch our lives. My condolences to her family and friends. She is not gone, she is just saving a place for you to meet up with her again some day."
"Mr. Fitzgerald, Tracy, Lindsay, and Adam, I am so sorry for your loss. Mrs. Fitzgerald was an amazing woman whose compassion, gentleness, and love will be greatly missed. I am honored to have learned from her both in the classroom at CHS and outside of class, during all my gradeschool sleepovers. Please know that you are in my thoughts. "
"Mrs. Fitz still holds a spot as one of the best teachers I have ever met. She was so enthusiastic and made learning so fun. There are very few teachers that students would be excited to have twice in the same day (English/Etymology). I still laugh when I think of how she relished catching people with Winterfresh gum. She said it was just silly to chew blue gum and expect to get away with it! The Cathedral family has lost a great woman and the teaching world has lost a great mentor."
"Mrs. Fitzgerald was a compassionate and gentle woman. She cared for all of her students and we are all better people because of her. Even though over 16 years have passed since I was in her classroom I still have the utmost respect for her. I am blessed to have been a student of hers. "
"John- I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your famiiy."
"John, Lindsey, Tracy, Adam and Angela, I can't express how sorry we are for you. I know how much Barb means to you but I know she is in a great place right now with some great people. I hope you also know how much she meant to our family. Some our greatest memories are with all of you at Myrtle Beach. I'm so happy that I got to be with her and all of you at Adam and Angela's wedding. Plus it meant so much to Katie and I that you could come out to our wedding in Seattle. Of course, my last and greatest memories of Barb are of all of us laughing our asses off together. She holds a special place in my heart, and I know my mom will miss her so much. Katie and I wish we could have been there for you this weekend, but I know Charlene and Karrie will pass on our condolences."
"Dear Fitzgerald family: Barbara changed the lives of thousands of students at Cathedral High School, as well many adults that were fortunate enough to get to know her. For me, it was her contagious laughter and good humor that I will always remember -- -- it lifted my heart and my spirit on a regular basis during my time at CHS. Within the last year, Barb and I had a nice talk. I so admired her spunk. Today I know that words cannot bring the comfort you need; but peace and comfort will return as your mother's strong spirit will live on in each of you. God bless and comfort you and your family today and always. - Deborah Hammond"
"I had the pleasure of having Mrs. Fitzgerald for English. Her laugh and "teacher looks" were legendary. She found the joy in everyday things and helped us to do the same. Mrs. Fitz was just the kind of teacher that I strive to be now. Your family is in my prayers, and I know we will get to hear her laugh again."
"I had Mrs. Fitzgerald for honors English in 1995. When I recall my time at Cathedral, she is a shining memory for her amazing ability to inspire, entertain, capitivate and challenge. She was an amazing teacher. One of her assignments was to tell 3 people that you valued their freindship. I wish I had told her how much I valued what she taught me and what a difference she made on my high school career."