Mary Ashton Fitzgerald

On Friday, August 21, 2009 a light in our lives went out with the passing of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and dear friend, Mary Ashton Fitzgerald in Murray, Utah, at the age of 88.

She was born February 15, 1921, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Willard and Leona Hart Ashton. She was one of four children. As a young woman she graduated from Granite High School in 1938. She later attended the University of Utah. She pursued her nurses training at the LDS Hospital. She met and married her eternal companion, Keith R. Fitzgerald. Their first years were spent in California while Keith served in the Merchant Marines. In 1947 they built a home in Murray where they raised their 10 children and Mary lived until her death.

Mary worked part-time at the old Cottonwood Maternity Home and later continued her nursing at the Cottonwood Hospital when it was opened in 1963. She worked in Labor and Delivery twenty years until she retired in 1983. She was known for being an exemplary caregiver. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in many callings through the years.

She loved and adored all her children and extended family. She was an excellent seamstress, cook, oil painter, gardener, and especially loved good literature. She was always ready with a book to share. She leaves a legacy to all of her unconditional love, friendship and service to others.

She is survived by her ten children, Kathee Gabriel (Frank), Laurie Tayco, Kent A. Fitzgerald, (Jane), Jeanie Morley (Arthur), Wid Fitzgerald (Kristine) Mary Ann Williams (Jeff), Bart A. Fitzgerald, (Diane), Holly Larsen (Richard) Joan Muhlestein (Mark), and Patrick A. Fitzgerald; 36 Grandchildren 42 great-grandchildren.

Mary was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held, Thursday, August 27, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at the Murray 3rd Ward Chapel, 160 East 4600 South, Murray, Utah. Friends may call at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, Murray, Utah, Wednesday, August 26, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. or Thursday, at the church 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Interment, Draper Cemetery.