Mrs. Margaret M. Fitzgerald

Margaret Mary Fitzgerald née Murray passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving husband and three children, on August 26, 2023, in Madison, Alabama. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 14, 1937, the elder beloved child of Peter and Anna Mary Murray née Casey and sister of Ann Marie Carney née Murray. A brilliant and hardworking student, she graduated valedictorian in her class from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School in 1955. She began a varied career working in advertising in New York, and later worked as an office manager and a legal secretary in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Always quick with a smile and a conversation starter, Margaret was at the heart of her family and friends. She met the love of her life, John Henry Fitzgerald, when she was 15 years old, and they were married for 63 years. Their adventures included dancing together at all social events, moving from Brooklyn to Stamford, Connecticut in 1965, lovingly raising Maureen Ann Schwab née Fitzgerald, John Gerard Fitzgerald and Mary Beth Son née Fitzgerald, and moving from Connecticut to Alabama in their 50’s. Margaret is survived by her husband, her children and 7 grandchildren whom she adored and spoiled – Brooke and Mitchell Schwab, Siobhán and Fionnuala Fitzgerald, and Casey, Emma and Anna Son. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Derval Tubridy, her sons-in-law, Gregory Schwab and Jun Ho Son, and by her brother-in-law, Andrew Carney. 

Margaret was an active church and community member during the 29 years they lived in Norwalk.  She used her amazing social and organizational skills when they moved to Alabama and eventually became a Vice President of the Newcomer’s Club of Greater Huntsville, and an avid mahjong player. Despite moving a thousand miles, the move to Alabama did not hinder holiday gatherings with the family as Margaret and John made over 100 trips to New England following their move south, a true testament to their love and commitment to their children and grandchildren. She maintained her love of her Irish heritage throughout her life with trips to Ireland and remembrances of her parents. She will very much be missed for her kindness and concern for others, her ability to make people feel welcome and loved, and for her laugh. 

A visitation will be held between 10.00 am and noon followed by a remembrance service for Margaret at noon with a reception to follow on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Legacy Chapel Funeral Home at 16 Hughes Road, Madison, Alabama 35758.

A visitation will be held on Friday evening, September 1, 2023, at Dougiello Funeral Home at 36 S Pine Creek Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824 between 6.00pm and 8.00pm.

A funeral Mass for Margaret will be celebrated at 10.00am on Saturday, September 2, 2023, at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church at 149 S Pine Creek Rd, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824.  Interment will follow at St John Cemetery, 223 Richards Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06850, with a reception to follow.

Donations can be made in honor of Margaret to Crisis Services of North Alabama: https://csna.org/ or the Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org/.