"To Jim and family, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. She was a strong and loving lady. She will always be there watching over her family. She loved her family so much. Love and Prayers, Kathy Riedel "
In loving memory of
Maureen Fitzgerald
October 9, 1922 - January 17, 2012
Maureen Butler Fitzgerald, 89, a 35 year resident of Kingston, passed away peacefully on January 17, surrounded by her large, loving family, at Kingston Hospital, after a brief illness.
Maureen was born on October 9, 1922 in Modeligo, Co. Waterford, Ireland, the first child of James V. and Catherine (Hickey) Butler. At the time, her father was a battalion commander of the Waterford Brigade of the Irish Republican Army during the Irish Civil Was. He was captured by Free State forces while trying to see his newborn daughter. He was subsequently imprisoned in Cobh, Co. Cork until the end of the Civil War.
Her family moved to America in 1925 and lived in New Brunswick, NJ and New York City. She graduated from Cathedral High School, Manhattan, in 1940, and was employed by Macys, Metropolitan Life, and Sperry Gyroscope before marrying Thomas Fitzgerald on September 2, 1943 at Holy Name Church on the upper west side of Manhattan. In addition to raising her 11 children, she ran a day care center, was co-owner of a consignment shop, and was a licensed Real Estate broker.
She was a faithful parishioner of St. Mary's Church, Kingston, a long-time member of the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians, and was co-Grand Marshal of the 1998 Kingston St. Patrick's Day Parade together with her husband. She was also a member of the Kevin Barry Irish Club, and an active supporter of Ulster County Right To Life, Catholic Charities, Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, and the Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel.
In addition to her beloved husband of 68 years, Thomas, she is survived by her children: Theresa, Medford, NY; Catherine, Bethesda, MD; Albion, Saddle River, NJ; James, Sea Bright, NJ; Thomas Jr. Kingston; Stanley, Kingston; Maureen Jr., Manassas, VA; Elizabeth, Coeur D'Alene, ID; William, Saddle Brook, NJ; Joseph, Franklin Lakes, NJ; and Tina, Kingston.
Her grandchildren are; (Theresa) Gloria Geslak, Thomas Phifer, Lisa Reidy, Gregory Krajewski, and Christine Krajewski; (Catherine) Jennifer Garvey Berger and Derek Updegraff Jr; (Albion) Gillian; (James) Jennifer Leonard, Tara Bulfamante, and James Jr.; (Thomas) Kathleen; (Stanley) Kerrie and Patrick; (Maureen) Brigid Agresti; (Elizabeth) Catherine Cline and James Schearer, (William) James, Shannon, William Jr.; Marisol Jr.; (Joseph) Joseph Jr., Theresa, Matthew, and Christian; (Tina), Gabrielle Palen, Ashley, Jessica, Andrew, and Allie.
Her 20 great-grandchildren are: Adam Jr., Mark, Christina, and Brittany Geslak; Hannakaye, Ethan, and Thomas Jr. Phifer; Emma and Meagan Reidy; Naomi and Aidan Berger; Sydney and Brooke Leonard and Dominick Jr. Bulfamante; Shawn Michael; Julia Schearer, Colten Schearer, and Jack Cline; Evan Marallo Normann and Braidon Palen. Maureen's oldest great-grandson was recently sworn in as an NYPD officer.
She is also survived by her sisters: Margaret Watt, Brooklyn, NY; Catherine Egert, Staten Island, NY; Elizabeth Harrington, Staten Island; NY; Patricia Cole, Edinberg, NY; Grace James, MA; and Joan Butler, Brazil, and by her brother Pierce Butler, Brooklyn, NY, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Maureen is predeceased by her sisters Helen and Theresa and her brother Edward.
Friends and family may call at Keyser Funeral Home, 326 Albany Ave, Kingston, on Thursday, January 19, from 7 to 9 PM and on Friday, January 20, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 21, 10 AM, at St. Mary's Church, Kingston, followed by interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, Kingston.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:
Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, 4597 Warren Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105-9718; or
Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, PO Box 2747
Cody, Wyoming 82414; or
St. Joseph's Mission, Catholic Charities, Zanhoeck Rd.
Hurley, NY 12443.
Tributes
"Joe, Rebecca and Fitzgerald Family, Hugs to all of you during this difficult time. May the memories help you find some peace! Thinking of you!"
"To Tom and family my condolences and sympathy. Sorry I was unable to attend the Visitation but I will attend the Funeral Mass on Saturday."
"Again, my deepest sympathies and condolences. Heaven will be enriched"
"Well said Jim Cole, my thoughts exactly. I too have fond memories of Aunt Maureen from those early years at the Sacandaga. The VW bus, the broken budget, the annual climb up Cat Head Mt. with my cousins and Grandma's beach. My deepest condolences to you Uncle Tom and to all my cousins. I pray that God will strengthen you and comfort you all as you go through this time of grieving and that He would draw us all into a deeper relationship with Him as we contemplate our own mortality and the brevity of life as compared to our eternal destination. Our prayers are with you, God bless, Bill E."
"So sorry for your tremendous loss. We offer our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Fitzgerald family. Love, the Boeks"
"Dear Stanley & Family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. "
"Deepest condolences to my friends: Maureen's husband, children, & grandchildren. The matriarch of Clan Fitzgerald was a sweet and special soul; she will be missed. God Bless you, Maureen."
"My sincere sympathy and condolences to Uncle Tom and all my cousins. I haven't seen Aunt Maureen since Grandma's Funeral many years ago and I am sorry for that. I have thought of her often with fond memories of summers on the sacandaga and grandma's beach when we all got to spend lots of time together. Aunt Maureen was always good to me and made me feel special and I will always treasure those memories. God bless and rest in peace."