Mary Dolores “Dee” Fitzgerald died November 1, 2019 of pneumonia and end stage dementia six weeks shy of her 92nd birthday. She was born in Seattle, WA as the only child of James S. Harrington and Alice J. Harrington (nee Murphy) and raised in West Seattle where she attended parochial school. She married Dwight Duncan and they had two children, Theresa (Ghandi) and Michele (Simpson). She and Dwight divorced and she subsequently married John “Jack” Fitzgerald and they had three children, Maureen (Fitzgerald-Krupke), John Fitzgerald, and James “Jamie” Fitzgerald. Jack, Dee, and their children moved to Manchester, WA in 1955 and then to Port Orchard, WA, where they raised their family and lived for the remainder of their lives.
Dee spent many years as a realtor, first in the company she and Jack created (Jack Fitzgerald Realty) where both were brokers and later she and Jack worked for other firms. She was very active, until recent years, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, where she served on Altar Society enjoyed Harmony Club with Jack and various other parish activities. She spent many years as a member of Port Ochard Soroptimist. Dee was a golfer and avid Husky fan and she and Jack spent many years traveling in their RV attending Husky games, camping, and as “snow birds” in Arizona.
Dee’s creativity was evident – whether through the stained glass windows that decorated their home or her cooking library that contained many recipes that became family favorites. She also was a bit of a cruciverbalist and loved solving her daily crossword puzzles. Dee was an avid reader and instilled that interest in her children.
She also loved to swim and made sure they learned as well. It was important to her to advocate for a swimming pool in South Kitsap and she served on a committee to make that happen, and eventually the South Kitsap High School pool was built. Dee was also involved in local blood drives.
She had an independent streak that all of her children inherited. Her friends and family could attest to her wry sense of humor that often resulted in peals of laughter that brought tears to ones eyes. She had a great laugh!
Her husband Jack, daughter Theresa, and son John preceded her in death. Within a few years of Jack’s death, Dee was diagnosed with memory problems that were severe enough to require placement in a memory care facility. She spent 19 years under the care of wonderful and devoted nurses and other caregivers, the last many at Washington Veteran’s Home in Port Orchard.
She will be missed by her 3 remaining children, her daughter-in-law, their spouses and partners: Michele Simpson (Dennis), of Port Orchard, WA, Maureen Fitzgerald-Krupke (James) of Olympia, WA, James Fitzgerald (Niki Young) of Idaho Falls, ID, and Diane Fitzgerald (widow of John) of Port Orchard, WA, as well as 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. A memorial mass will held at 1 pm on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Port Orchard, WA, with a reception immediately following. Memorial donations may be made to the recreation fund at Washington Veterans Home, Port Orchard, WA or a care facility in your community.
