Patricia Elder FitzGerald

Patricia was born in Springfield, Illinois on July 16, 1937, to parents Ted and Alberta Marie Elder.

While attending Springfield High School, Tish participated in many activities. She was a member of the Student Council; participated in a play, “The Man Who Came to Dinner and Stayed”; was elected the May Queen; and more. She then went on to Rockford College where she received a scholarship to obtain her teaching certificate. While there, she entered a Mademoiselle Magazine competition, where she designed, sewed, and modeled a casual, business, and formal ensemble. She won the Mademoiselle Award for her creations and was asked to come to New York City to be on College Board.

Tish met her future husband, Dale FitzGerald at Rockford College. Together, they went on to have daughter Dawn Elder FitzGerald. Dawn was the love of Tish’s life. They were forever close.

After a move to Boulder, Colorado, Dale & Tish returned to Rockford, Illinois where she obtained a BA in Graphic Design from Rockford College; had a one-man show with all her graphic artwork; sponsored elementary school cheerleaders; and was very active working on the Billie Jean King Tennis Exhibition with the Junior League of Rockford, Illinois.

…On to Houston, Texas in 1972, and finally to Sarasota, Florida in 1974. Tish was a member of The Junior Welfare League of Sarasota. She passionately loved working on projects with other Junior League Members. To mention a few: A Haunted House Project where she made all the costumes; a 1976 Bicentennial Celebration; the Holiday Tour of Homes; a Holiday Cookbook; and many other Junior League projects.

1979 was a year of change. Tish escorted a group of young women on a month-long tour through Europe. Her daughter left home to attend Clemson U. She and Dale divorced. And she started working at Stottlemyer and Shoemaker Lumber Co. where she was their advertising director. She won a 1st Place award at the Builders’ Expo of 1979 from the Contractors’ Association for Sarasota for Most Original Display.

In 1980, Tish moved to the American Heart Association as a Special Events Coordinator where she worked on the Premier of Homes benefit at The Landings; was Decorations Chair for The Pink Ball; Sun & Fun Run; South Venice Tour of Homes; bowling & roller-skating marathons; and many other fundraisers. In 1981, she created her own advertising company & produced the Grand Opening for The Landings Community; and created an events-planning & catering company called “The Touch of Tish”, where she catered many private parties as well as weddings, and Bar & Bat Mitzvahs.

Tish loved entertaining her friends and family in her home. She was always happy hosting beautiful dinner parties.

Tish met and married Herb Benatovich, and in 1985 she and Herb purchased a waterfront home on Bayshore Road, which she, herself, completely renovated. Through the years she continued with the Junior League of Sarasota as a sustainer. She was a member of the Endowment Board and was a multimedia artist in the League’s “Designing Women” Luncheon & program. She received the Junior League Sustainer Community Service award. She won so many Junior League awards that someone once said, “The Junior League overtrained Tish”.

In addition to The Junior League and those achievements, she: chaired a fundraiser for the Education Foundation; was Chairman of New College Library Association’s Mistletoe Ball; President of New College Library Association; co-chaired SPARCC’s Elvis Presley Night and designed invitations and program books for the Heart Ball and Cartoon Classic; and took refresher courses at Ringling College School of Art!

Tish and husband, Herb, traveled extensively. Over the course of many journeys, they took a 10,000-mile trip throughout the United States; and visited Ireland, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, England, and Scotland, among others.

In 2000 Tish designed and sub-contracted a 6000 sq. ft., waterfront home in Sarasota, and moved in in 2003.

Tish was an active member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ for many years where Reverend Syster supported her with her devotion to helping children age out of the foster care program, which ultimately became JOY, a non-profit organization. She also worked as Chairman for various fundraisers for the Children’s Guardian Fund; for the Let the Season Begin Runway Show & Luncheon; of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Guardian Ad Litem. It was at Guardian Ad Litem which led to her concern for foster children.

Tish Cofounded JOY (Joining Our Youth ) which was an independent community-based organization of trained volunteers focused on improving the quality of life for youths aging out of foster care. This organization was her lifelong passion. 1) JOY provided mentoring services where volunteers were trained in a 9-hour course, run by behavioral analysts, to become certified listeners. They then were assigned a mentee by case managers of the Safe Children’s Coalition, who met weekly with their mentor. 2) She created a 52-item Starter Kit (and raised money to purchase these items so that the youths would be ready to live on their own. 3) JOY provided bicycles, bus passes, and related equipment for transportation to classes and work.

Tish created JOY’s Trendy Threads, a boutique that was filled with clothing that she had received from Junior League members and others in the Sarasota area. The children could shop at the free, stylish clothes closet. She chaired many style shows to raise money for the Starter Kits and other needed items; as well as a style show, The Joy of Rags to Riches, featuring foster children as models. She helped with Graduation & Back-to-School events and procuring grants from the Community Foundation and the Buchanan Family Foundation. She received, from the West Coast Center for Human Development, the Excellence in Transition Award for her work with children aging out of the Foster Care System.

In 2016, Tish purchased a home in Palm Aire and, once again, went to work on its complete renovation… as a project. She lived with her daughter, Dawn, from 2016 to 2024.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Alberta Elder, and brother, Ted Elder. Tish thought her brother hung the moon. He was four years older and she followed him everywhere; and he protected her fiercely.

She is survived by her daughter, Dawn; sister-in-law, JoAnn; nephew Kevin (Cynthia); niece Kandis (Wayne); great nephews and nieces Jake, Seth, Rylei, Mercedes; and many loving friends.

Services for Patricia will be taking place on Tuesday May 5th, 2026, at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park. Visitation will begin at 12pm, followed by the funeral service at 1pm. Graveside service will begin at 2pm. Upon conclusion of the graveside, there will be a reception from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for the donations to be made to Junior League of Sarasota in Patricia’s name for Furnishing Hope at Nancy’s Village. This Village offers transitional housing for young adults who have aged out of foster care.

Junior League of Sarasota

Attn: Furnishing Hope at Nancy’s Village

3300 S Tamiami Tr Unit 3

Sarasota, FL 34239