Worcester – Helen T. (Walsh) Fitzgerald, 104, died peacefully Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, surrounded by her family, in her home. She was the matriarch of the Walsh and Fitzgerald families. She was so loved and will be very much missed.
Born on August 13, 1907 in County Waterford, Ireland, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Katherine (Fennell) Walsh. She immigrated to the United States in 1925, settling in New York City, and moved to Worcester in 1927.
Mrs. Fitzgerald's faith and her family were the foundations of her life. She was the oldest member of Saint Peter's Parish and a member of its Ladies Guild. Faith-filled, hard-working, loving, generous, caring and devoted are the words that her family used to describe her. She was an inspiration and role model to many and exemplified the words gentle woman.
She was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Patrick B. Fitzgerald; her son, Thomas F. Fitzgerald; her daughter, Ann Marie Daly; and her granddaughter, Anne-Marie Gibbons.
She leaves her daughters, Kathleen T. Keville and her husband William of Shrewsbury, Patricia A. Gibbons and her husband William, and Helen M. Fitzgerald, all of Worcester, and Paula F. Murtaugh and her husband Michael of Winnetka, Il.; her son-in-law, Joseph W. Daly of Worcester; her grandchildren, William Keville, Kathleen O’Leary, Joseph Daly, Mary Ann Coppolino, William Gibbons, Patricia Haylon, Mary-Ellen Main, Kathleen Trainor, Thomas Gibbons, Elizabeth Delaire, Paula Kelley, Jennifer Fritzsche, Michael and Patrick Murtaugh; 31 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Mrs. Fitzgerald's life by gathering for calling hours Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Rd., On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 9:45 a.m., before leaving in procession to Saint Peter's Church, 929 Main St., Worcester. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Saint John's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Saint Peter's Church, 929 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610.
