Heather M. Fitzsimmons

FITZSIMMONS Heather M. (nee Wiseman), 81, of Emerson, NJ, went home to our Lord on Thursday, March 26, 2020. Heather was the beloved wife to the late Joseph Fitzsimmons and was the devoted stepmom to Kevin and his wife Dorothy; Joseph F.; Mary Ellen Ruitenberg and her husband Jim; the late Brian; Catherine Vasquez and her husband David. She was a loving grandmother to Erin and her husband Nicholas; Alison and her husband Billy; Kevin; and Emily; and was an adoring great grandmother ("Gigi") to Cora, June, Finley, and Samuel. She was the dedicated "Aunt Heather" to dozens of nieces and nephews.

Born in Dublin, she immigrated to the US as a young child with her parents, Agnes and Robert Wiseman and grew up in Jersey City, NJ. She attended Katharine Gibbs College in New York and worked as an administrative assistant at W.R. Grace & Co. in Manhattan where she also met her husband, Joe. After retiring, she dedicated her talents to the Westwood United Methodist Church in Westwood, NJ where she tirelessly served as the church secretary for many years. She was a very active participant in several aspects of church life: she was a lay reader, choir member, and member of the United Methodist Women. She was active in Bible study groups and served on various church committees over the years. She also volunteered at Sunrise Assisted Living in Old Tappan, NJ, was a member of the Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus, and had served as President of the Emerson Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary.

Heather was a faithful Christian who dedicated her life to serving the Lord by helping others and volunteering her time to those in need. She had a special fondness for all animals, particularly dogs, and was an avid backyard bird-watcher. She enjoyed walking in her Emerson neighborhood and chatting with friends along the way. She loved vacationing in the Outer Banks of NC with her family and taking day trips to Ocean Grove, NJ. Heather will always be remembered for her generosity, deep faith, and active connections with family and friends.

Memorial gifts to Orpheus Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 114, Ridgewood, NJ 07451 or Westwood United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 105 Fairview Avenue, Westwood, NJ 07675 would be appreciated.

Funeral arrangements are private.