Ann Miller Fitzgerald

Ann Miller Fitzgerald sadly passed away quietly at home in Peterborough, NH on January 3, 2024, after a long and very full life. She was 91 years old. Endless thanks to Hospice and to the exceptional Care Team and support staff of Scott Farrar at Peterborough where Ann had been in residence for the past seven years. The Scott-Farrar community has been a great comfort to her and her family, especially during these past few months. Your kindness and generosity always brightened her days!

Ann was born September 29, 1932, the only child of Theodore and Lina Miller, in Williamston, NC. The family later re-located to Norfolk, VA where Ann would attend school, practice her love of dance and later meet Robert Louis Loder, Jr, a Virginia State Police Officer and former Army Private, whom she married in 1952. Robert died unexpectedly in the line of duty, leaving Ann a young widow expecting their infant son, Robert Louis Loder, III.

Life goes on. Ann was destined to meet a dashing young Naval Officer, Thomas W. Fitzgerald, Jr., who danced her off her feet. They fell head over heels for each other and were married in September of 1955.

Tom and Ann built a wonderful, full life together. Ann had her hands full with the addition of two more children, Lynn Ann and Jon, as Tom was frequently at sea for months at a time. Nevertheless, the family always managed to find time to enjoy life together; summers on the Outer Banks in NC and Lake Winnipesaukee in NH, skiing in VT and NH in the winter and sailing the Long Island Sound with trips up the coast into Maine or out to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard on “Powder Blue II”, their 33’ Pearson. Between adventures, Ann made their home a warm and comfortable place to be, wherever they happened to be stationed, and where all felt welcome.

After Tom’s retirement from 11 years in the private sector (following his first retirement as Captain, USN in 1976), Ann and Tom sold the boat and house and traveled the US and parts of Canada by RV. They would eventually end up in Peterborough, NH, thoughtfully located halfway between their son Bob and family and son Jon in CT and daughter Lynn’s family in VT. The Peterborough house was a wonderful place to gather, and extended family celebrated together many a Christmas, birthday, or special occasion there. Tom suffered a severe brain injury shortly after they moved to Peterborough. Tom’s injury kept Ann mostly homebound, but eventually she was able to meet a group of wonderful women that gave her a fresh outlook, lots of laughs and deep friendships.

Ann had a lovely artistic sensibility. Very few, outside of the family knew that she was an accomplished seamstress capable of turning a bolt of fabric into a formal gown or a handsome three-piece suit. With an eye for detail, she also produced intricate needlepoint and cross-stitch pieces. Her beautiful, knitted sweaters were nothing short of sublime in their crafting. She always had a project underway until her eyesight failed due to macular degeneration.

Ann was pre-deceased by her husband Capt. Thomas W. Fitzgerald, Ret. in 2005 and their youngest son, Jon B. Fitzgerald in 2019. She is survived by her son Robert (Bob) Fitzgerald and his partner Lynn Champoux of Brooklyn, CT, and by her daughter Lynn Ann Boynton and her spouse David Boynton of Plainfield, VT; three grandchildren, Stacy Fitzgerald Marsh, her spouse Steven of Dudley, MA, Robert Fitzgerald, his spouse Kimberly of Bradenton, FL and Kathryn Boynton of Arcata, CA; four great-grandchildren, Payton Fitzgerald, Nina Fitzgerald, Madison Marsh and Kaylin Marsh.

A funeral service will be held at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Peterborough, NH on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. The burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann’s memory may be made to the Jennie Scott Legacy Fund, Scott-Farrar, C/O Jennie Scott Legacy Fund, 11 Elm Street, Peterborough, NH 03458 or online at www.scott-farrar.com.  The arrangements are with Jellison Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Peterborough.