Arlene Fitzpatrick Griesmer

Arlene Griesmer (nee Fitzpatrick), age 97, passed away peacefully in Annapolis on the morning of June 10, 2025. She was born September 15, 1927 in Zerbe Township, Pennsylvania to Margaret and Herbert Fitzpatrick. She was the oldest of three children. When Arlene was a teen, the family moved to Pottsville, Pennsylvania where she attended Pottsville High School and excelled in academics. On Saturdays, she worked the candy counter at a local department store. Her social life revolved around going to movies and dances with friends. Sundays were reserved for going to Mass, spending time with family, and eating a hearty meal.

In 1948, upon graduating from Temple University with a Bachelor of Science degree, she secured a job as a medical technologist at Jeanes Hospital in Philadelphia. Shortly thereafter, she dated and married Gerry, a chemical engineer and recent graduate of Notre Dame and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to whom she remained married for 25 years. His job with Union Carbide took them from Buffalo, New York to Santa Ana, California, back to Buffalo and then to Geneva, Switzerland where they lived for 10 years.

They had two daughters, Deborah & Diane. While residing in Geneva, the family traveled throughout Europe. In 1975 after returning to the United States as a soon-to-be empty nester, Arlene settled in Chevy Chase, Maryland and took a job as a grant specialist in the accounting department at the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health where she worked until retiring at age 88. She then moved to Annapolis, Maryland.

When Arlene wasn’t tending to her home, family, or working at Jeanes Hospital or the NIH, she enjoyed reading; going to libraries, movies, and performing art productions; rooting for the Phillies and the Fightin’ Irish; working puzzles; and playing board games. She loved to travel and visit gardens, parks, zoos, aquariums, historic sites, museums and art galleries. Until she ran out of space, she filled the walls of her home with prints and original works of art. She treasured handcrafted nutcrackers and artisan jewelry, often gifting both. Collecting stamps and coins were hobbies that her father passed down to her and she, in turn, shared with her children and grandchildren.

At age 90, she visited the Historical Society of Pennsylvania as well as a few cemeteries and churches in the state to fill the lineage gaps needed to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Moorestown, New Jersey Chapter. Arlene, with the help of the Moorestown Regent and her daughter Diane, completed the application which her mother Margaret had begun decades earlier. She became a founding member of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia and subscribed to American Spirit, magazine of the DAR.

Forever devoted to her family, country, and faith, Arlene lived her life as a practicing Roman Catholic and joined the Ranger Rosary ministry at St. Mary’s Church in Annapolis when she retired. She believed in the power of prayer and was a volunteer, along with her daughter Deborah, in helping to make these rosaries for members of the Armed Services.

Arlene is survived by her children Deborah Boland (Michael) and Diane Cairoli, four grandchildren — Kevin Boland (Lauren), Timothy Boland (Sarah), Christine Cairoli, and Mark Cairoli — and three great grandchildren, Teddy and Kathleen (Kevin & Lauren) and Jack (Timothy & Sarah). She is also survived by her brother Eugene Fitzpatrick (Yolie) and seven nieces and nephews.

The funeral Mass for Arlene Griesmer will be held on Tuesday, July 1st, 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Church 109 Duke of Gloucester Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401. On Sunday, July 6th, the 10 am Children’s Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown will be offered for Arlene’s soul.

In lieu of flowers, her family would appreciate donations made in her memory to Ranger Rosary - the cause Arlene devoted her time to during her final years in Annapolis (link below) or to the Moorestown Chapter, NSDAR (National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution): please make checks payable to Moorestown Chapter and mail to 417 Bridgeboro Road Moorestown, New Jersey 08057

Ranger Rosary: https://www.rangerrosary.org/AMGD/donate/