Patricia (DeMaria) Fitzgerald, 88, of Madison passed away on July 31, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family and compassionate caregivers. She was born in New York City to the late Anthony and Helen DeMaria, on April 30, 1936. She grew up near many of her beloved cousins in Riverside, CT on Lake Drive. Pat graduated from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in White Plains, NY in 1954 and Regis College in Weston, MA in 1958. She continued her education at Fairfield University and completed a Master’s degree in 1959. She began teaching at Wright Technical High School in Stamford, CT, and met Joe, a fellow teacher.
She married the late Joseph Fitzgerald in 1960 in Riverside, CT where they began their family. They moved to Madison, CT in 1966, grew their family, and raised 7 children.
Pat returned to teaching when her youngest child entered school. She taught history at Vinal Technical High School in Middletown, CT, and then began teaching at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, in 1978. She earned an additional degree as a reading specialist from Central Connecticut State University, organized a North Madison carpool to the Northern Middlesex YMCA swim team, and began her coaching career there. While teaching in Madison she helped establish the Girls’ Swim Team and coached for over 25 years. Two years ago she was inducted into the Madison Athletics Hall of Fame for her contributions to girls’ and boys’ teams. In addition to coaching, Pat taught swimming lessons in her backyard pool on Princess Drive to countless children in Madison. As a parishioner of St. Margaret’s Church, she spent many years teaching CCD.
As a child growing up in Riverside, Pat spent summer days exploring Cos Cob harbor where her gift of the gab and curiosity caught the attention of local sailors. Pat learned to sail from local Yacht Club members and that love blossomed into a lifelong passion for sailing. As a teenager, she became a skilled sailor and in the summer of 1952, she sailed aboard the Brigantine Yankee as part of the Girl Scout Mariners of America. The Yankee sailed with 16 scouts and 4 leaders between Larchmont, NY, and New Brunswick, Canada. A few years later Pat and her younger brother Tony sailed their new wooden sloop from Nova Scotia to Greenwich.
Pat shared her love of sailing with her children and husband during annual summer sailing adventures aboard her boats Dreamer and Firefly. These were not large vessels, yet Pat somehow managed to pack enough clothes and food for a two-week cruise and still find places for everyone to sleep. Eventually, the family outgrew sailing vacations and for the last 25 years, Pat and Joe gathered with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren during the summer for a week at the beach. Pat looked forward to this time each year and has created a legacy of cousin snap chats, “beach week” sandcastles, family dinners and raucous cornhole competitions.
In retirement, Pat and Joe traveled to visit their children and grandchildren and took several trips to Europe to explore Greece, Italy, Ireland and Spain; many of those trips included their adult children. Pat spent many days at Harry’s Marina in Westbrook where she kept her boats over the years. She enjoyed the coffee hour and the camaraderie of fellow boaters.
Pat was a loving, independent and strong person. She always offered an ear to listen or a hand to help(when she was able)and loved to talk and have long conversations. She unapologetically did things her way, but she always put the needs of her family first.
In addition to her parents and husband, Pat is predeceased by her brother Anthony. She is survived by her children Allison Fitzgerald (Bruce Hevly) of Winthrop, WA, Dawn Pyne(Greg) of Dunwoody, GA, Matthew Fitzgerald (Michelle) of Conyers GA, Gregory Fitzgerald(Ana) of Swampscott, MA, Kathleen Derry (Bill) of Niantic, CT, Sara Fitzgerald of Fort Pierce, FL and Amy Starkey (Matt) of Madison, CT. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Willa, Charlotte and Owen Hevly, Shawn and Haley Pyne, Nara Thiesen (Ben), Siobhan Keefe (Ty), Seamus, Liam, Ronan, and Finn Fitzgerald, Alicia, Kendra and Kyle Fitzgerald, Jack and Eliza Derry, Tricia Hurst and Joseph David, Thomas and Daniel Starkey. In addition, she leaves her great-grandchildren Nora, Calla, and Cillian Keefe and Ina and Richard Thiesen. Finally, Pat leaves her best friend of 50 years, Miggie Fiorentino of Madison, her sisters-in-law Diane DeMaria and Joan Fitzgerald and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
We would like to thank the caring staff of the Village at South Farms in Middletown who saw beyond our mother’s dementia and recognized her strength, intelligence and kindness. We are thankful for the loving care of Athena Hospice during the last few months of Pat’s life.
Pat’s family will receive friends and relatives on August 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Swan Funeral Home, Madison, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on August 17 at St. Margaret’s Church, Madison, CT.
Donations in Pat's memory can be made out to DHHS Boys Swim and Dive Boosters Daniel: Hand High School, 286 Greenhill Road, Madison, CT 06443, Attn: Athletic Director (Donations support both teams).
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