Eileen Fitzgerald

Eileen Fitzgerald, age 88, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2024, at Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over weeks and into her final days, she was surrounded by family that expressed how much she was loved. She then slipped away in a moment when no one was looking.

Eileen was born February 29, 1936, on Leap Day, in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, to Margaret (Bair) and Bernard “Barney” Leonard. She was born on a day as extraordinary as she was. Out of her parents’ nine children, Eileen, the sixth child, was the only one delivered in a hospital. She left an impression on everyone she met and made friends easily. She had a twinkle in her eye and a zest for life. She was gorgeous, happy, vibrant, authentic, and brought joy to herself and others through laughter. Eileen was loving with a big heart, and if you were lucky to have met her, you know she was one of a kind, never to be forgotten.

Eileen spent her youth in Clarksville, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Canton, Ohio, where she met and married her first husband, Americus “Mac” Pedreira. During their forty years of marriage, they raised four children and eventually settled in Las Vegas, Nevada. Eileen married her second husband, Daniel “Dan” Fitzgerald. She spent her remaining thirty-one, fun-loving years on earth with Dan.

During Eileen’s early working years, she was a waitress which she thoroughly enjoyed, for she loved being around people. She was quick and attentive to the customers she served. Later, she made souvenir dice clocks that were popular Las Vegas mementos for tourists. She also worked for a time at a slot machine manufacturer. Eileen was always a caregiver to family and friends, and later in life, she worked as a caregiver in the healthcare industry. She loved taking care of people.

Eileen was curious and not usually shy. On one occasion during the holiday season, while at a local mall, a TV news reporter was interviewing shoppers. Eileen was thrilled by the possibility of being featured on the news, so she approached the reporter, struck up a conversation, and made the 11:00 p.m. news that evening.

She was a sociable person and wanted to know all about you once she met you…no question was off limits! She was always on the go and would often call or stop by to visit family and friends to find out how they were. She made it a priority to stay in contact with her loved ones. She had an abundance of energy and was always ready to enthusiastically talk to you. She would also listen to you endlessly. We miss that very much.

She was creative and engaged in various hobbies throughout her life. She crocheted blankets, doilies, and beaded Christmas tree garlands. Eileen had a steady hand and patience enabling her to paint amazing pictures that she showed in her home and often gave her creations as gifts.

Shopping and estate sales were a couple of her favorite pastimes. She loved living in Las Vegas and later in Henderson and spending time in the casinos. Through the years, Eileen went to the theaters to see all genres of movies. As time passed, she enjoyed watching movies and shows on Netflix, television game shows, and Shark Tank! Eileen had fond memories of the times she traveled. She often reminisced about her cruise ship voyages with Dan and the road trips she had made with friends and family throughout her life.

Eileen loved her birthday, so much so that we celebrated with her on February 28th in ordinary years...not March 1st…she could not wait! Christmas was also a special time, and she would decorate the house and Christmas tree beautifully. She always made sure everyone had lots of presents to open. Eileen was so pleased to prepare delicious, hearty meals for family and friends. She would also bake a variety of holiday sweets. She always made her children’s favorites which included the spritz cookies, especially the “green” Christmas tree shaped ones and her “red” cake. Being around her family and spending time during the holidays with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was precious to her.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, seven siblings, and cat Keekee. Eileen is survived by the love of her life Dan Fitzgerald and two cats Callie and Rusty; her children Cynthia (Rick Gamble) Pedreira, Mark (Laurie) Pedreira, John (Lynn) Pedreira, and Jennifer (Tom Widders) Pedreira; grandchildren Lauren (Chris) Whyno, Melissa (David) Gibbs, and Lacey (Robee) Kennedy; great-grandchildren Analeigh, Juliette, Lorelei, Jacob, and Clare; her sister she adored Shirley Ramsey; special niece Kimberly Gargiulo and nephews Robert Burich and Wesley Shuck; and other extended family members and many friends she met along the way.

We would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Rose Dominican Hospital, Siena Campus, and Nathan Adelson Hospice for their care of Eileen. We are grateful to have celebrated Eileen’s “22nd” birthday on February 29th this year and had her here with us in the months that followed. We will all love and miss her forever.

Online memories of Eileen can be entered at Eileen Fitzgerald Obituary - Las Vegas, NV (dignitymemorial.com).

Memorial donations may be made to Nathan Adelson Hospice (https://www.nah.org/get-involved/donations); St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation (supportstrose.org); or an animal rescue charity close to your heart.