Mrs Marilyn Lucille Fitzgerald's Obituary
Marilyn Fitzgerald was born in Seattle on March 1, 1928 and died on December 6, 2014 surrounded by her loving family. Many may remember Marilyn as the beautiful soprano who starred in musicals at Redlands Bowl and San Bernardino Civic Light Opera for more than three decades, She began her professional career starring in her own radio show as a teenager. She performed in opera, light opera, musicals, and concerts throughout Southern California. Even after starting a family, she continued to delight audiences season after season in critically acclaimed musicals such as Peter Pan, Carrie, Oklahoma, and her favorite Carousel.
In 1947 she married David Fitzgerald and had 4 children: Greg (Carol), Elaine Evers (Ace), Danny (Kim), and Julie Donlon (Mickey). She was grandmother to 14, great-grandmother to 14. David preceded her in death in 1976. She and David instilled in their children the importance of such virtues as honesty, integrity, hard work, and service.
In 1971, David and Marilyn entered the Permanent Diaconate Program. They became members of the San Diego Deacon Board in 1974, and in 1978, Marilyn became the first lay woman appointed Director of a Permanent Diaconate program in the United States. She was passionate for the professional ministry of permanent deacons and the promotion of female involvement in church ministries. She served the Diocese of San Bernardino for 19 years. She was honored as the Person of the Year in 1987 by The National Association of Permanent Diaconate Directors. In 2006 Pope Benedict granted her the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Award,” the highest award for a lay person in the Catholic Church.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, 2525 N. Arrowhead Ave. on December 20th at 10:00 A.M.
What’s your fondest memory of Marilyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marilyn?
Share a story where Marilyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marilyn you’ll never forget.
How did Marilyn make you smile?