Jeannie S. Fitzgerald

Born February 8, 1937 to John and Stella Piontek in Brooklyn, NY, Jeannie was the oldest of their four children.  As the big sister, Jeannie often became disciplinarian and confidant to her siblings, Billy, John, and Terry.  She excelled in school, sang in a professional band, and was engaged to be married.  

 

Everything changed when she met Richard Fitzgerald at a dance.  His good looks and Irish charm swept her off her feet.  They married October 29, 1955.  They started a family and eventually moved to Long Island with their five sons.  Tragedy struck when after a long struggle, their second son, Kerry, died of leukemia at the age of eleven.  

 

Richard took a job with the government, and the family moved to Bowie, MD in 1970.  Jeannie's love of family and children inspired her to become a nursery school teacher.  Dedicated to caring for others, she decided to study nursing.  Balancing her family and her classes, Jeannie earned a nursing degree and worked in Pediatrics at Prince George's Community Hospital in Largo,MD.  

 

Her nursing and medical skills were put to the ultimate test when Richard was diagnosed with Lupus.  Using all her knowledge, Jeannie heroically fought for his life, sending doctors running if she wasn't satisfied with their care.  Despite all her efforts, the disease overtook him and she lost Richard June 4, 2004.  

 

Heartbroken, Jeannie found solace spending time with her family, going to shows, and donating to various charities- especially those protecting animals.  

 

Having lived a life of strength, resilience, and compassion, Jeannie is now joyously reunited with the love of her life.  

 

She is survived by her devoted sons, Kevin(Linda), Kris(Sarah), Stephen, and Richard, her five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. 

 

The service will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jeannie Fitzgerald Memorial Fund at http://giftfunds.stjude.org/JeannieFitz