Plan for the Future
Mary A. Fitzpatrick, 77, of Florham Park, NJ passed away peacefully on April 3, 2018. She was born and raised in Flushing, New York and was the daughter of Loretta and Patrick McDonough. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Queens College and then began her teaching career at the Copiague School District on Long Island. Shortly thereafter Mary applied for and was accepted by the Department of the Army to teach children of US service members stationed overseas. She was assigned to a US Army base in Germany where she first met her future husband Tom, an active duty army officer. By coincidence, Mary and Tom lived only four blocks from each other in Flushing and were members of the same parish. They resumed dating when they returned to the States and were married on August 13, 1966.
Mary returned to teaching at the Rainbow Montessori Nursery School in Madison when her children began middle school. She loved teaching pre-school children and working with the school’s very dedicated and professional staff. After retiring in 2007 Mary and Tom enjoyed a number of cruises as well as trips to various European countries. Ireland was a favorite destination. Trips were always more fun when accompanied by long-time friends Maureen and Bob Smith. For the past ten years, Mary and Tom spent snow-free winters at their vacation home in Naples, FL. Gardening and reading were Mary’s favorite hobbies. She was a long-time member of the Florham Park Garden Club and enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships of the wonderful members of the Club.
In addition to husband Tom, Mary leaves behind her loving children, daughter Katherine and husband Duane, son Tom and wife Rita, and seven wonderful grandchildren: James, Sarah Kate and Thomas, from Chatham, NJ; and Ben, Sadie, Mia and Kara, from Denver, CO. Mary loved her grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Florham Park First Aid Squad.
Viewing will be on Friday, April 6 from 2-4 PM and from 6-8 PM at Bradley & Son on Main Street, Chatham, NJ. The funeral Mass will be on Saturday, April 7 at 10:30 AM at Holy Family Church in Florham Park, NJ. Burial will take place at Holy Rood Cemetery, Morristown, NJ.