Donnie was predeceased by husband James Francis FitzGerald. She is survived by her children: James FitzGerald and his wife Patricia, Kevin FitzGerald, Cecile Moran and her husband Michael, Claire Wilk and her husband Damian, and Daniel FitzGerald and his wife Pamela. Donnie has 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Donnie was a member of the “Greatest Generation”. She attended St Michael’s Grammar School and the Academy of Holy Names; both in Silver Spring. She attended the College of Notre Dame of Maryland on a merit scholarship and graduated with dual degrees in English and Economics.
As a child, she acted in radio dramas. When a young adult, she wrote scripts for radio dramas. Throughout her life, she wrote and produced community productions. She also wrote national award-winning poetry.
She married James FitzGerald when he returned from serving in the US Navy during World War II. Donnie was an only child and wanted nothing more than to have a large family. Donnie and Jimmy started their family in Takoma Park. Her family was always her first priority.
She continued growing her family in the Oakview neighborhood of Silver Spring, where she organized neighborhood parades, block parties, children’s hikes, and many community activities. The FitzGeralds lived right next door to St Camillus Catholic Church, where she was a very active parishioner. Donelle was an extremely talented hostess. She entertained her husband’s law practice associates, as well as their many groups of friends.
As her five children grew older, Donnie became a top selling real estate agent.
Throughout her life, she and her family were also very involved in the St. Clements Shores community, in Southern Maryland. She loved crab cakes at Fitzies Marina and boating on St. Clements and Breton Bays.
She recently was a resident at Riderwood Senior Living Community with many of her friends from St. Camillus Parish. She was active in the Riderwood theater group, where she wrote and acted in productions. Donnie was a student in a variety of college courses offered on site.
After a full life of using her love and talents to enrich her family, church, and community, Donelle Shannon FitzGerald passed away. She was surrounded by her family in her final moments.
