Joan Carroll Fitzgerald

It is with great sadness that the family would like to announce the passing of Joan Carroll Fitzgerald (Brooks). Joan passed away peacefully with her husband at her side and surrounded by her family on Thursday evening, March 8th, 2018 at the age of 70.

Joan was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 23, 1947 to Jack and Gloria Brooks. After graduating from Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio in 1965, she married the love of her life, Richard Fitzgerald, in 1966.   The two of them had two children and celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary in January. In 1981 she moved to Wilmington, NC with her family where she continued to live until her passing.

Joan was a loving mother to her two children and a doting grandma of four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Joan enjoyed bowing with her family and friends for many years. She participated in multiple leagues through the years and made many dear friends at the lanes. She was also an active member of both the Elks and the Moose Lodges locally. Joan especially enjoyed Bingo. Besides regularly calling bingo at the Moose Lodge, and even operating her own Bingo Hall at one point, she played whenever she got the chance and formed close bonds with her special 'bingo friends.'

Joan's passion for animals was evident to anyone who knew her. She adopted many cats and dogs throughout her lifetime and was loved by them as much as she loved them. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the New Hanover County Humane Society in Joan's honor.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Gloria Brooks.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard. Also left to cherish her memory are her two devoted children Cathleen Herrmann (Royce) and Kevin Fitzgerald (Jenni).    Joan's sister, Patricia Lambert (David) will remember her with great fondness. Four grandchildren Susan (Anthony), Ryan, Kayle, and Tyler, as well as four great-grandchildren, Jariya, Aryanna, Kobe, and Londyn will all greatly miss their grandma's special "grandma cookies" almost as much as they will miss her and her hugs.

Please join the family for a Celebration of Life service that will be held on Wednesday, March 14th at 11:00 am at Andrew's Mortuary Valley Chapel at 4108 S. College Rd. Wilmington, NC 28412. A one hour visitation for all family and friends will immediately precede the service at 10:00 am.