Theresa Isabel Fitzgerald

August 7, 1921 - July 15, 2019

Theresa Isabel Fitzgerald, nee Theresa McDonell, passed away peacefully at Saint Patrick’s Home in Ottawa on Monday, July 15, 2019 at the age of 97. She was born at her family’s farm in Wartime, Saskatchewan on August 7th, 1921 to William McDonell and Gertrude (Casey) McDonell, the eldest of five children. She is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Convent High School, Rosetown, SK and gold medalist (RN 1942) from Holy Family Hospital in Prince Albert, SK. She was married on June 10, 1946 to Michael Fitzgerald, until his death in 2008, 62 years later. They had six children, twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Theresa had a distinguished career as a Registered Nurse in Lethbridge, AB and Saskatoon, SK, and later in life as a Social Worker at the Ottawa Children’s Aid Society. She employed her nursing skills and her kind and gentle nature to help many people in need. She leaves an impressive legacy of volunteerism including hospice care and training and support for the handicapped. She was Commissioner of Girl Guides in Regina, a member of the International Women’s League and IODE, and an active auxiliary volunteer in her local parishes, especially at Holy Cross Church in Ottawa. Theresa was a longtime attendee at the National Arts Centre and the Ottawa Little Theatre, and loved to play bridge. In their time together, she and her husband Michael lived in Saskatoon, SK, Ottawa, ON, Rome, Italy, Regina, SK, LeSotho, Africa and Tanzania, Africa. They loved to entertain and welcomed many dignitaries into their homes over the years. They spent much of their retirement at their cottage on Lac Barnes in Quebec surrounded by family and friends.

Theresa is survived by her six children, Edward, Ottawa, Bill (Robin) Courtney BC, Maureen (Fraser Howard) Toronto, Michael (Maureen Love) Edmonton, Peter (Susan Sheck) Ancaster,ON and Carol (Dirk McDermott) Denver, CO, her sister, Eva Marcoux, of Saskatoon, brother, Bill McDonell (Winn) Rosetown, SK, her twelve grandchildren Bree (Kim), Michael (Christine), John, Chuck (Meghan), Theresa (James), Sean, Megan, Daniel (Robyn), Katie (Dave), Kevin, Katie, Jack, and her six great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Michael Fitzgerald, her parents William and Gertrude McDonell, her sister Loretta McDonell, and brother Leo McDonell.

Theresa lived by the golden rule and touched countless lives with her love and kindness. She was a role model for many, a true matriarch of her family, and a cherished mother. She will be greatly missed and will live on forever in their hearts.

Special thanks to Lea Attrux, Oak Park Retirement Community, the Transitional Care Unit at the Ottawa General Hospital, and Saint Patrick’s Home of Ottawa.

A visitation will take place on Monday, July 22nd from 7-9 pm at McEvoy-Shields Funeral Home, 1411 Hunt Club Road, Ottawa. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 23rd at 11 am in Holy Cross Parish, 685 Walkley Rd, Ottawa, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be offered in Theresa’s name to the University of Ottawa Eye Institute of The Ottawa Hospital.