Elizabeth Fitzgerald's Obituary
FITZGERALD, ELIZABETH was born April 18, 1914, in Dirgin, Texas to John Henderson Fitzgerald and Irma Watson Fitzgerald. She passed away in Dallas, Texas on March 1, 2012, at the age of 97. Graveside services will be held at 1:30pm, Thursday, March 8th at Harmony Hill Cemetery in Tatum, Texas. Pastor Shannon Hahn of Tatum United Methodist Church will officiate. Cremation arrangements were handled by Restland Funeral Home in Dallas. Elizabeth was a member of Central Christian Church in Dallas. She attended regularly even after she had moved into assisted living due to the kindness of fellow church members who would drive her to church services. She was a graduate of Tatum High School and McNeese School of Business. She moved to Dallas and shortly after graduating from McNeese, and became employed by the Veteran’s Administration. She soon became the secretary of the psychiatric department of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital where she worked until her retirement. She worked not only with the doctors and nurses, but also with the patients. She spent many extra hours encouraging them through craft therapy, and was greatly loved by the staff and patients at the hospital. She had the opportunity to help several friends from the Rusk County area and their families while they were patients in the VA Hospital, allowing her to do what she loved best, serving others. After her retirement, she worked for many years as a meals on wheels volunteer. She also was the designated driver to take her friends and neighbors to their doctors’ appointments until the time when she had to give up driving. Her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews loved visiting Elizabeth’s house. It was often chosen as the place to celebrate birthdays and go for vacations because the entertainment was non-stop. Though she had no children of her own, she doted on two generations of nieces and nephews, and would have loved to do the same for the third generation if age and failing health had not prevented her from doing so. Ms. Fitzgerald was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Beatrice Martin, and two brothers, Jack Fitzgerald and Harold Fitzgerald. Survivors include nieces and nephews Ann Tuttle of Beckville, Jane O’Bryant of Mesquite, Dan Fitzgerald of Whitewright, Jim Fitzgerald of Groves, Susan Hudspeth of Richardson, and Karen Lough of Sammamish, WA. She is also survived by 11 great-nieces and nephews, and 9 great-great nieces and nephews. Ms. Fitzgerald is also survived by her special cousin, Nita Marsden of Dallas and several other cousins. If desired, memorials may be made to Harmony Hill Cemetery at Post Office Box 975, Tatum, TX, 75691.
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