Pulaski - Mrs. Mariann Theresa Stilwell Fitzgerald, 89, of Pulaski died June 3, 2025, at her home.

Mrs. Fitzgerald, an only child of Theresa and Bill Stilwell, was born Aug. 31, 1935, in Chicago as part of an extended Irish Catholic family and community filled with cousins and music. She was a good student and attended Webster College, meeting her lifelong friends, Aimee Thompson and Shannon Kelly. She met beloved husband Robert (Bob) Fitzgerald, also a Chicago Irishman, in the 1950s, and they remained happily married for 69 years. The couple toured the United States together early in their marriage and soon thereafter raised four children of their own while she continued to work as an administrative assistant (what used to be called a secretary) to executives in banks, insurance companies and for their successful family business, Selectra. She was an excellent cook. She loved dancing, music (especially opera), travel, books and nature, which is fortunate, since she and her husband operated a tree farm and later a B&B in nature-filled rural areas for much of their married life. Most of all, she loved people. A devout Catholic and member of the Catholic Family Movement, the couple opened their home to needy youth including fostering Henry Gaunard, a Cuban refugee, who, along with his lovely wife Dorothy, have remained close to the family and who she loved dearly. She delivered communion to those unable to attend Church, when she was able, an activity she found deeply rewarding. She will be missed by all those who knew her. She is preceded in death by sons, Patrick and Michael.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pulaski.

Survivors include husband Robert; daughters, Shannon and husband Greg, Kathleen; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, who she loved dearly and was loved in return.