Ruth M. FitzGerald (nee McNamara), age 91, passed away peacefully at home on May 25, 2022, surrounded by the love of her family. Ruth was born on April 27, 1931, in New Haven, Connecticut, a daughter of Martin J. and Ruth A. McNamara. She was a proud graduate of Hillhouse High School, Class of 1949. Ruth earned her undergraduate degree from Albertus Magnus College and her master’s degree in education from Southern Connecticut State University. She married her high school sweetheart, William F. FitzGerald, Jr., in 1953; they were married for 49 years until his death in 2002. The couple raised their four children, William, John, James, and Ellen, in Old Saybrook. Ruth was a teacher for more than 20 years in Old Saybrook at Main Street School and later Old Saybrook Middle School. She was an active member of the Old Saybrook Garden Club. Ruth also served her community for many years as Chair of the Old Saybrook Board of Assessment Appeals. She was a woman of deep faith and a longtime parishioner of St. John Church. Warm; engaging; a great conversationalist; always good company. Ruth was a devoted wife and mother and cherished friend. She was predeceased by her parents, Martin J. and Ruth A. McNamara; her sister, Dorris McNamara Conoly; her husband, William F. FitzGerald, Jr., and her beloved sons, William and James. Ruth is survived by her son, John T. FitzGerald, and her daughter, Ellen M. FitzGerald, and three grandchildren, James, Erin, and Katherine. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in the memory of Ruth to the James M. FitzGerald ’80 Fund for Hockey, Portsmouth Abbey School, 285 Cory’s Lane, Portsmouth, RI 02871.
The funeral procession will assemble on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at 9 a.m. at Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook, and will proceed to a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. John Church, 161 Main St., Old Saybrook. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, 59 Sheffield Street, Old Saybrook.
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