Mary Ann - Fitzgerald

February 9, 1943 - July 21, 2026

Mary Ann Fitzgerald was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 9, 1943. The daughter of James Francis Quinn and Laura Woź niak, Mary Ann grew up on the South Side of Chicago and attended Mercy High School. She cherished lifelong friendships with her high school girlfriends, who affectionately called themselves the "Ya Yas.”

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English with a teaching credential from Saint Xavier University, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of reading and history. On June 19,1965, she married Robert James Fitzgerald at Saint Gabriel Catholic Church in the Canaryville neighborhood of Chicago. Together they built a life centered on family and community. After beginning their family in Chicago, they moved to Foster City, California, where they continued raising their children: Bobby, Nancy, Paul, Colleen, and Amy.

In Foster City, Mary Ann built her community of families who shared life together for over 50 years. The St. Luke’s Women’s Club, Get Rich Quick Investment Club, the PJCC, and St. Vincent de Paul's Catherine Center were just some of the places where she dedicated her creativity, leadership, and vitality. She enjoyed many years working at Kaiser, and her greatest joys revolved around family gatherings and travel. Whether it was weekends in Tahoe, annual visits to Yosemite, or gathering around the television to cheer on Notre Dame football or the Golden State Warriors, she found happiness in simply being together. One of her greatest gifts was creating memories, organizing individual trips to Washington, D.C. with each of her children and grandchildren. She saw the world alongside Bob and many of their friends: Ireland, China, Russia, Poland…over 40 countries in her passport.

Mary Ann stood out in a crowd with her striking white hair, quick wit, and strong opinions rooted in her moral compass. She lived her faith through service to others, and instilled in her family the importance of generosity, justice, and caring for those around them. Mary Ann’s greatest legacy is her big beautiful family who will carry on her love for Fitz Family Fun!

Mary Ann is survived by her beloved husband, Bob; her children and their spouses, Bob Fitzgerald, Jr., Nancy and Mark Metzler, Paul and Maureen Fitzgerald, Colleen and Jason Borges, and Amy Fitzgerald and Kamika Dunlap; her grandchildren, Erin, Ryan, Quinn, Mary, Kate, Joe, and Isabelle; brother, Dennis Quinn; aunt, Pat Niego; and a large community of extended family members and friends.

A funeral mass in remembrance of Mary Ann will be held on Friday, August 7, 2026 at 10:30am at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in San Mateo, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan House where Mary Ann volunteered for many years.