Mary Ellen Fitzgibbon, 88, of Fort Lauderdale, passed away March 30, 2012. Born in Indiana, she was a longtime Florida resident. Music was a big part of her life. She was a music teacher in her early teens at her father’s music store in St. Louis and majored in music at college. She was a musician, a teacher, and an entertainer most of her life. She played in symphonic orchestras in St. Louis, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale, performed solo and with groups in hotels and clubs throughout South Florida. She touched countless lives in private music lessons which she continued into her 80s. Former students Lauren and Allison Garcimonde said,” Miss Mary Ellen instilled a lifelong love of music in us. We will always remember her fondly.” Several students went on to become professional musicians themselves.
She is survived by three daughters Judith Cuyler, Carol Lohsen, Patti Fritz (Ken), son Thomas Hobbs (Sandra); 7 grandchildren Kimberly Calvert, Michelle Pate, Carl Cuyler, Jr., Ty Hobbs, Deidra Elliott, Kyle and Lori Fritz; 5 great-grandchildren Trey Hobbs, Abigail and Ashleigh Pate, Dalton Elliott, and Will Cuyler. She was pre-deceased by a daughter, Mary Lee Flavin, 2 grandchildren, Kelly Fritz and Mary Ellen Flavin. Her daughters said, “We thought she was invincible – and she was.”
Family will welcome friends Thursday, April 5th from 5 to 6pm. Memorial Service to follow at 6pm at Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 4061 N. Federal Hwy., Ft Lauderdale. www.kraeerfairchild.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to United Cerebral Palsy of S. Florida or American Heart Association.
Arrangements under the care of Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 4061 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. www.kraeerfairchild.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18