Maria Lachelle Fitz

Maria was born on January 29, 1956, in Portland, Oregon, to Margaree Wilburn Harden and Robert Burns Waddy Jr. She entered the world alongside her beloved twin sister. At an early age, Maria accepted Christ as her Savior at House of Prayer for All Nations, where she faithfully participated in church activities throughout her youth and in her adult life was a faithful member of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for the senior’s class and later directed the children’s choir.

As the eldest of three siblings, Maria attended King Elementary School before being bused to Woodstock Elementary School during school desegregation. She later attended Atkinson Middle School and graduated from Franklin High School in 1974, where she excelled as a standout basketball player.

After high school, Maria pursued her passion for education by attending Pacific Lutheran University before transferring to Warner Pacific College, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Education in 1978. She began a remarkable career with Portland Public Schools, teaching at several schools throughout the district. One of the most meaningful chapters of her career was returning to Woodstock Elementary School, the very school where she had experienced the hardships of discrimination during the Civil Rights era, to serve as a physical education teacher. She dedicated more than 30 years to inspiring students through health, fitness, and sports before retiring in 2010.

In 1978, Maria married Charles Fitz Sr., and together they welcomed five children: Charles "CJ" Fitz Jr., the triplets Lachelle, Rachelle, and Michelle Fitz, and Nikia Fitz.

Maria's greatest joy was her family. As a lifelong sports enthusiast and physical education teacher, she made sure her children stayed active in athletics and rarely missed a game. Whether cheering for her children or later her grandchildren, her enthusiastic voice could always be heard from the stands. She was also a devoted Oregon Ducks fan, proudly shouting "Quack, Quack!" whenever they played.

Beyond sports, Maria loved bringing people together through games. She especially enjoyed Yahtzee, Spades, Bid Whist, and dominoes, creating countless memories filled with laughter and friendly competition. She also was an avid music lover and her favorite singer of all time was Luther Vandross. Outside of him, you can find her sitting in the house or in the backyard listening to old school R&B on 1480 or playing her CDs.

In 2021, Maria moved from her home in Hillsboro to Marquis Piedmont Assisted Living. It gave her a wonderful sense of community and renewed independence. She embraced life there by participating in bingo, Yahtzee, dominoes, arts and crafts, and musical events. She especially loved attending University of Portland Pilots basketball games. In March 2026, she was selected to travel to Las Vegas to cheer on the Pilots during the NCAA Tournament which is a trip she thoroughly enjoyed and one she talked about with great joy.

Maria was preceded in death by her daughters, Lachelle, Rachelle, and Michelle Fitz; her mother, Margaree Anderson; her father, Robert Burns Waddy Jr.; her sister, Renata Raiford; her grandmother, Ora Harden; her grandmother, Marie Merchant; and her grandfather, Edward Merchant.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Charles "CJ" Fitz Jr. (Tiara); her daughter, Nikia Fitz; her beloved grandchildren, Malachi Fitz and Nasia Fitz; her sister, Vernita “Rachelle” (Willie); and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, dear friends, former students, and all whose lives she touched.

Maria will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her dedication to education, her love of sports, her joyful spirit, and the love she gave to her family, friends, students, and community. Her legacy will continue to live on in the countless lives she inspired. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.