Gladys S. Fitzgerald

Port Leyden - Gladys (Sullivan) Fitzgerald, long-time resident of North Pearl Street, passed away at her residence on Friday, January 23, 2009, while under the loving care of her family and Hospice. A native of the Town of Lyonsdale, she was born on February 7, 1917, to Timothy E. and Elizabeth M. (Hoffman) Sullivan. She spent her entire life in the Lyonsdale area, graduating from Lyons Falls High School in the Class of 1936. On September 18, 1937, Gladys was united in marriage with Harry G. Fitzgerald at St. John's Church, Lyons Falls. While raising their family, Gladys was employed as a seamstress at Lally Manufacturing Co. in Port Leyden, from where she retired in 1979. Mr. Fitzgerald, a retiree of the Fisher Estate, Lyons Falls, died on January 11, 2000. Mrs. Fitzgerald was a communicant of St. Martin's Church, Port Leyden. She was also a member of the Altar Rosary Society at the Church, the Port Leyden Senior Citizens, and the Port Leyden Historical Society. Her favorite motto throughout life was to "keep moving", and this advice she passed on to many people. That idea was her secret to longevity and energy; she possessed a wonderful positive attitude. If you met her once, you were her friend. She greatly enjoyed gardening, baking, picking blackberries, doing for others, local history, family genealogy, bargain hunting, and most of all, her photo collection. Her family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to Lewis County Hospice, neighbors, and friends for their prayers and support for Gladys and her family. She is survived by four daughters and two sons-in-law, Joanne and Irv Sattler, and Kathryn and Larry Mathis, all of Boonville, Sue Fitzgerald, Rome, and Sandy Darliing, Lyons Falls; three sons and daughters-in-law, H. Timothy and Melanie Fitzgerald, and Michael and Barbara Fitzgerald, all of Boonville, and Patrick and Kathy Fitzgerald, Turin. She was predeceased by an infant son, Larry, on March 8, 1955, and a brother, Henry ("Hank") Sullivan in 2007. Also surviving are twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren. Up to the time of her passing, Gladys was eagerly awaiting the birth of three more great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include two sisters, Luella Beck, Port Leyden, and Evelyn Beck at the Lewis County Extended Care Facility; life-long friend and sister-in-law, Marguerite ("Midge") Fitzgerald, also at the Care Facility; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Her funeral will be Monday at 10:00 a.m. from the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc., 143 Schuyler Street, Boonville, and at 11:00 a.m. from St. Martin's Church, Port Leyden, where the Reverend Stephen Gratto, pastor, will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial. Spring interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Port Leyden. Calling hours are Sunday, 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Leyden Historical Society, c/o P.O. Box 247, Port Leyden, NY 13433, Friends of Lewis County Hospice, Inc., P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY 13367 or Calvary Cemetery, c/o St. Martin's Church, Port Leyden, NY 13433.