Obituary of Joan M. Fitzgerald

Joan M. Fitzgerald, age 85, of Bridgeport passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport. Born in Paterson, NJ on July 13, 1933, she was the daughter of the late George J. and Marie Giannone Forrest. Ms. Fitzgerald had been employed by People's United Bank in Ryders Landing, Stratford, as a customer service representative before her retirement with many years of dedicated service. She also was a docent for the Beardsley Zoo and enjoyed bringing animals into local schools to educate the students. She had been a Cub Scout and Girl Scout Leader when her children were young. Joan was an avid sports enthusiast and found great enjoyment watching the UCONN men's and women's basketball programs. Her greatest enjoyment however was found in the time she spent with her family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her longtime companion of 38 years, Michael Straussner, other survivors include her loving children, Dawn Tichy O'Rourke and her husband Dr. George O'Rourke of Mount Dora, FL, Patricia Roberto and her husband Joseph of Trumbull, Dr. Lawrence Fitzgerald and his wife Dr. Laura Rydelek Fitzgerald of East Lyme and Jacqueline Keegan and her husband Colin of Newbury, NH, her eight cherished grandchildren, Sean, Kate, Matthew, Meredith, Tyler, Evan, Mackenzie and William, her five adored great grandchildren, Patrick, Elle, Griffin, Gabriel and Juliana, her brother, George Forrest and his wife Victoria of Monroe, as well as her nephews, Gregory and Jeffrey and her niece Jill.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr.'s Pun, Fitzgerald and Tortorello at St. Vincent's for their care and compassion.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 220 Shelton Rd., Trumbull. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Friends may greet the family on Monday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Swim Across the Sound, St. Vincent's Medical Center Foundation, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06606.