Longtime Fair Havenite and former Knollwood School teacher, Joan Marie Held Fitzgerald, passed away, surrounded by “her greatest treasure, her family,” on July 15. She was 81.
“Joan’s energetic personality, interest in others, and passion for living left a mark on all who met her; she leaves a legacy of love and friendship to all who had the privilege of knowing her … The greatest joy in Joan’s life was her family. In 1974 she married the love of her life, James Fitzgerald Jr. They were blessed with three children and eight grandchildren. Joan delighted in being endlessly involved in all their lives. While they resided in Fair Haven, they summered at their beloved camp in Belgrade Lakes Maine, where Joan spent each summer surrounded by the beauty of nature and family.”
Loved ones of Joan Fitzgerald in her obituary
Born July 22, 1941 in Dayton, Ohio to Mary and Clayton Held, she grew up in Middletown and attended Saint James School and Red Bank Catholic High School (RBC).
“After graduating from Georgian Court College, she pursued her teaching career at various catholic schools around New Jersey before finding a home at Knollwood School in Fair Haven where she taught for 28 years. Teaching middle school English was her calling; she was endlessly innovative, always striving to find creative ways to engage and connect with each child. Her passion for learning lives on in the students she loved teaching.”
She is survived by: her husband, James F. Fitzgerald Jr.; children, Jamie Fitzgerald and his wife Beth, Meghan Dobish and her husband Matt, Katie Foley and her husband Ryan; her adoring grandchildren, who were the lights of her life, Charlotte, Diana, Hannah, Lilabelle, Ned, James, Hadley, and Liam; siblings, Greg and Jeri Held, of Red Bank, Alan Held, of Wilmington, NC, and Rita Held and Lou Cartelano, of Los Altos California; and many nieces and nephews she held dear.
A celebration of her life will be held at Nativity Church in Fair Haven on Aug. 30 at 11 a.m.
— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home
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