Marilyn Fitzgerald

Marilyn Fitzgerald, age 79, formerly of South Main Street, Salamanca, New York, died Tuesday evening, May 3, 2011, at the Pines, Olean, New York.

Born on December 4, 1931, in Salamanca, New York, she was the daughter of the late John and Cleva Quackenbush Harter Sr.

Marilyn was a graduate of Salamanca High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Geneseo State College.

She was a teacher with the Olean City School District prior to her marriage to John Fitzgerald in December of 1954. She was later employed as a first-grade teacher with the Little Valley Central School District from 1968 until her retirement in 1990. She was a passionate and dedicated educator who impacted the lives of many children throughout her teaching career.

Marilyn was a member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Salamanca, NY, the Little Valley Retired Teachers Association, where she served several terms as Secretary, the Cattaraugus County Retired Teachers Association, the Salamanca Chapter of the AARP, where she served several offices including President, and the Salamanca Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.

Surviving are: a son, John (Mary) Fitzgerald of Fort Mill, South Carolina; a daughter, Connie (Larry) Whitcomb, Great Valley, New York; 3 grandchildren, Christopher Whitcomb of Buffalo, New York; Meghan Whitcomb of Allegany, New York and Miranda Fitzgerald of Fort Mill, South Carolina; two step grandchildren, Meggan Marsolick of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Morgan Gainey of Hartsville, South Carolina; and five great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her brother, John “Jack” Harter Jr.

Friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass in celebration of Marilyn’s life on Saturday, May 28th, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Parish with the Rev. Patrick Melfi, pastor, as celebrant. The family will receive friends and relatives at the church prior to the funeral mass starting at 9:30 a.m.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York.

E-condolences can be sent to john@orourke-orourke.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.