Mary Fitzgerald

Mary Margaret Gibbs Fitzgerald, age 93, of Oxnard, passed away November 19, 2012, at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, after a short illness. It was fitting that she died on a day that was very special to her- the birthday of her husband of 54 years.

Mrs. Fitzgerald was born December 4, 1918, in Jeffersonville, Ind.

She was a Women's Ordinance worker during WWII.

On September 15, 1943, she married John William Fitzgerald, her pen pal during the war, who she fell in love with, and was engaged to by mail. They met face for the first time just days before the wedding.

Mrs. Fitzgerald enjoyed being a military wife and mother. Both she and her husband were active in St. Anthony's Parish while their children were growing up.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Fitzgerald, LCDR, USNRET; and her eldest son, Justin Walter Fitzgerald. She is survived by son Michael Fitzgerald of Ventura; and daughters Ann-Marie Schwartz of Mountain Home, Ark., Maureen Fitzgerald of Los Angeles, and Katherine (Kit) Fitzgerald of Oxnard; brother Larry Gibbs of San Francisco; grandchildren Shelli, Timothy, Theresa, Bryan, Mark and Patricia; and great-grandchildren Victoria, Seth, Christopher and Alexander.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Conrad and Reardon Mortuary in Oxnard. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, November 27, at 11 a.m. at Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura. Burial will be at Santa Clara Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Funeraria del Angel Conrads and Reardon Mortuary in Oxnard.