Veronica M. Fitzgerald died peacefully at her home in Hampton Bays on September 28, just shy of her 100th birthday.
Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on October 10, 1924, to Herbert and Clara Luscombe, she married Eugene J. Fitzgerald of Bayside, Queens, in 1947. They lived in Port Washington and moved to the East End in 1970.
She studied vocal music at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. Upon moving to Hampton Bays, she returned to school at Southampton College, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in education, and, later, a master’s degree. She taught music for over 20 years in the Riverhead Central School District, at Aquebogue and Riley Avenue elementary schools.
She will be remembered for her dedication to her family, spending time and playing cards with her grandkids and her love of dogs. An avid reader, she loved travel, music and watching the sunsets over Peconic Bay.
She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Gene; and son-in-law, Carl. She is survived by her seven children, Sharon (Robert), David, Sheila (John), James, Kevin, Nancy, Julie (Michael); her 11 grandchildren, Andrea (Nate), Sabrina (Damon), Daniel, Bryan (Abby), Colin, Erin (Stephen), Michael, Heather, Emma, Jack and Luke, and four great-grandchildren, Liam, Isla, Samuel and Luke.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Rosalie’s Church, followed by interment at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary R.C. Cemetery in Southampton. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) or Heart of the Hamptons (heartofthehamptons.org).