Margaret "Maggie" Nara

Unconditional love, and a selfless devotion to family, faith and community defined the extraordinary life of Margaret J. (Fitzpatrick)Nara, 77, who, surrounded by her family, passed away on Monday , August 26, 2013.

“Maggie,” as she loved to be known, was born in Findlay, Ohio, on July 20, 1936. She was the only daughter of Emmanuel and Sarah Fitzpatrick. Maggie was graduated from Findlay High School and began a career at Ohio Bell Telephone before marrying the love of her life, Gene “Coach” Nara in 1955. Together for nearly sixty years, Maggie and Gene went on to have eight beautiful children, twenty two grandchildren, and one great-grandson. The Nara family relocated to Naples, Florida, in 1977, and soon thereafter Maggie was blessed to become a member of the St. William Catholic Parish.

Maggie’s passionate commitment to her faith and church extended through her tireless work in the Catholic Cursillo Program, Catholic Family Movement, RENEW, small faith sharing groups, pre-marriage classes for engaged couples, religious education teachings, and most recently through her love of the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Maggie’s love of the church and the St. William Parish was infectious; her smiles, hugs, and remarkable faith sharing will continue to touch many lives for years to come.

One of Maggie’s finest qualities was her sense of community, and her desire to encourage and support others. Maggie assisted and supported Coach Nara through many wins and losses during his high school coaching years both in Ohio and Florida. Maggie’s involvement in the educational communities in Ohio and Collier County was extensive, and she provided spiritual counsel and advice to countless people everywhere.

Maggie is survived by her husband, Gene, and their children: Frances Campbell (Milton) of Houston, Texas; Jeanne Nealon (Don), Mary Myrmo (Kevin), Lisa Collins (Don), Rachel Kirk (Brian), Hope Cliff (Cary), David Nara (Amy) all of Naples, Florida; John Nara (Abel )of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and her brother, John Fitzpatrick (Karen) of Findlay, Ohio.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers James and Dick, and her daughter, Margaret Fitzpatrick Nara.

All Memorial Services will be held at St. William Catholic Church, 601 Seagate Drive, Naples, Florida 34103. Visitation will be held 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary on Friday, August 30th, followed by an evening prayer vigil led by the Pastor Reverend George Ratzmann. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, August 31st at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Maggie’s family has requested that donations be made in Maggie’s name to Laces of Love, a charitable foundation that provides new shoes to needy school children in Collier and Lee counties. Checks can be made payable to: Laces of Love, 1976 Bethany Place, Naples, FL 34109.