In Memoriam: Longtime Teacher, Red Bank Resident, Ann Fitzgerald, 83

Forever Red Bank resident and longtime teacher Ann Caruso Fitzgerald died peacefully on June 21 surrounded by her loving family.

Ann was born on July 13, 1937 in Red Bank and lived there her entire life. A graduate of Red Bank High School and Glassboro State Teachers College, she met her husband, Martin J. Fitzgerald, at Glassboro. They were married in 1959.

Ann Caruso Fitzgerald
Photo/family via Thompson Memorial Home

“Ann loved her family, her friends, her students and the New York Yankees fiercely and loyally, although not always in that particular order …
Ann knew early on that she wanted to devote her life to teaching children. She could recall the names of her former students, their classmates and many of their antics years after they had graduated. She enjoyed her students immensely, and they encouraged her wonderful sense of humor. Many would sneak visits back to St. James to catch up with her and make her laugh with them.
Ann thought of them all as ‘her kids.'”
Ann’s cherished extended family and friends who became family will hold her amazing spirit forever in their hearts.”
Loved ones of Ann Fitzgerald in her obituary

Ann was a math, algebra and technology teacher for more than years, most recently at St. James Grammar School in Red Bank, where she taught multi-generations of families for 38 years before retiring in 2012. She received the honor of Distinguished Alumni of Red Bank Regional High School.

Ann was predeceased by: her parents, Louis and Blanche; her devoted husband, Martin; her sister, Marie; and her daughter, Susan.

She will be deeply missed by her children, Maryanne Riegelman (Ben), of Red Bank, Beth Dinsfriend (Neil), of Marlton, and Louis “Buddy” Fitzgerald (Jessica), of Shrewsbury.

She is also survived by her adored grandchildren Meghan, Suzanne and Benjamin “Jake” Riegelman, Samantha and Danielle Dinsfriend, and Emily, Madelyn and Sienna Fitzgerald, and her great-grandson Christopher Riegelman.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, June 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank. A mass of christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 25at St. James RC Church, Red Bank. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Jersey Rett Syndrome Association, 417 Brickyard Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728.

— Edited obituary prepared by loved ones via Thompson Memorial Home