PATRICIA ETHEL FITZGERALD, 91, of Lapeer (formerly of Detroit), passed away on June 26, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was born January 12, 1928 to Ethel and Christian Fick, of Lapeer. Beloved wife of late County Press editor James Fitzgerald, Pat, was loved and admired by many. Family was everything to her. Mother to Karen (Bob Woods) Fitzgerald; Christie (Wes) Smith and Edmund (Colleen) Fitzgerald, Pat was known for her beautiful sewing projects, lovely singing voice, knowledge of all things nature, her gift of gab and her devotion to her husband with whom she eloped on April 21, 1955. Pat attended Lapeer High School and Cleary Business College working for Detroit Edison and later The Lapeer County Press where she met Jim. In 1977 she and Jim moved to Detroit where he began his career as a well-known columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Pat enjoyed city life and later many grand travel adventures with Jim visiting Ireland, Scotland, England and more with the Nomads travel group.

Along with her three children and their spouses, Pat is survived by nine grandchildren: Michele (Phillip) Guerra of Flint, Melissa (Andrew) Bunting, of Lapeer, John (Jennifer) Wescott of Centennial, Colo., Emily (Matthew) Caswell of Fenton, Patricia (Ryan Jenkins) Smith of Atlanta, Ga., Adam (Jessica) Fitzgerald of Edinburgh, Scotland, Elaine Smith of Lapeer, James Fitzgerald of Grosse Pointe Woods, and Keara (Joe) Kvoriak of Detroit; eleven great-grandchildren: Phillip (Rachel) Guerra, Ryan Guerra, Grace Guerra, Madelynn Guerra, Max Skwirsk, Lucas Skwirsk, Madeline Bunting, Alex Bunting, Jackson Wescott, Jordan Wescott, and Sean Kvoriak; and four great-great-grandchildren. Pat is also survived by her sisters-in-law Nancy Hartnett of Cincinnati, Ohio and Linda (Tony) Grauzer of San Antonio, Texas. Pat was proceeded in death by her husband Jim, her parents, her brother Bud Fick, three sisters-in-law: Marguerite Fick, Mary Lou Dixon, Jean Fitzgerald and three brothers-in-law: Jack Dixon, Bill Fitzgerald and Al “Gabby” Hartnett. Per Pat’s wishes cremation and a private family memorial have taken place. Memorial contributions may be made to the following: Lapeer County Community Foundation 235 W. Nepessing St., Lapeer; Paradise Animal Rescue 2266 N. Lapeer Rd., Lapeer or McLaren Hospice and Homecare Foundation, 1515 Cal Drive, Davison.