Donna Margaret (Dunn) Fitzgerald, 81, passed away peacefully in the early morning of Tuesday, August 6, 2024, in Port Saint Lucie, FL. Donna was born on December 28, 1942, in Medford, MA, to the late Joseph and Kathleen (Murphy) Dunn. She graduated from Matignon High School in Cambridge, MA, where she cherished meeting her friends every morning at the donut shop for a donut with Jimmies and a Coca-Cola. A beloved wife, mother, sister, Grammy, and Great Gram, Donna’s warmth, kindness, and generosity touched all who knew her.
Donna married the love of her life, John C. “Fitz” Fitzgerald, on February 8, 1964, and they spent 57 wonderful years together. She dedicated her life to caring for their two children, John and Kathleen Rose. She embraced the challenges of moving frequently as a Navy wife, creating a warm and welcoming home in each new location, from coast to coast.
Donna’s home was always open to her family, and she was renowned for her incredible cooking and baking skills, especially her blue ribbon award-winning pie crust. She was a devout Catholic and a longtime member of St. Rose of Lima Church in North Syracuse, NY. She loved spending her mornings mall-walking with friends, finding joy in both exercise and companionship. Throughout her life, Donna’s favorite place was her parents’ beach house in Seabrook Beach, NH, where she created lasting memories with her family, especially her siblings, Rosemary, Ken, and Kathy. Above all, her greatest passion was cruising around the world with her beloved husband, Fitz.
In addition to her parents, Donna was predeceased by her husband, John C. Fitzgerald; her grandson, John H. Fitzgerald; her brother, Kenneth Dunn; her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Fitzgerald; and her brother-in-law, Howard Piper. She is survived by her children, John D. and Kathleen R. Fitzgerald; siblings, Kathleen (James) Harris, and Rosemary Piper; grandchildren, Donna (Michael) Yerry, Jackson and Madison Doner, Kaylie Walters, and Sophia Yurco; great-grandchildren, John James Fitzgerald, Logan and Nicholas Walters, and Jamison and Caterina Grant; a daughter-in-law, Monica Fitzgerald; along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A celebration of Donna’s life will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Aycock at Tradition, 12571 Tradition Parkway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, followed by a memorial service from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Donna’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.
