Charlene Fitzgerald (Ryan)

Charlene (Ryan) Fitzgerald, 80, of East Hartford, loving wife of George J. Fitzgerald, Jr., peacefully went to Heaven on Saturday, January 5, 2013 to once again join her husband George. Born in Rutland, VT on March 6, 1932, a daughter of the late Charles F. and Mary (Corcoran) Ryan, she had been a resident of East Hartford for over fifty years. Charlene was a graduate of Regis College in Wellesley, MA where she earned her degree in Education. She taught 32 years as a Home Economics teacher for the Town of East Hartford Board of Education and was honored in 1984 as ""Teacher of the Year"" for the town of East Hartford as well as being a Top Ten finalist for the State of Connecticut. A devout Catholic, Charlene was a long-time faithful communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church, East Hartford and an original member of their Retirees Club, where she was in charge of planning all of the trips for the club. She was a charter member of Pi Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, and an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and UCONN Women's and Men's basketball teams. Besides her beloved husband and parents she was predeceased by a brother, Thomas C. Ryan of Rutland, VT. Charlene is survived by her dear long-time best friend, Meredith Barker of Glastonbury; two sisters, Margaret ""Peg"" Noonan of East Hartford, Martha Fabian of Belgrade Lakes, ME; a sister-in-law, Mary Klett Ryan of Rutland, VT; four step-sons, Thomas D. Fitzgerald of East Hartford, Paul J. Fitzgerald and his wife, Debra, of East Hartford, Robert ""Bob"" Fitzgerald and his wife, Elizabeth, of Hebron, John ""Jack"" Fitzgerald and his wife, Gina, of Wallingford; ten step-grandchildren; thirteen adored nieces and nephews who referred to her as their favorite aunt; and many friends.

Funeral services will be Friday, Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m. from the D'Esopo - East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 370 May Road, East Hartford. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, (Section E), East Hartford. Relatives and friends may gather at the funeral home chapel on Thursday evening, Jan. 10 from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Charlene's name may be made to Pi Charities for Children, c/o 10 Butternut Drive, Glastonbury, CT 06033. For any on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.