Patricia T. Fitzgerald

Mrs. Patricia T. (O’Leary) Fitzgerald, of Bradenton, Florida, formerly of Waltham, died at home on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was 81.

Patricia was born on January 14, 1942 in Boston a daughter of the late Paul and Eleanor (Harrington) O’Leary. Raised in Gardner and Waltham, MA she was a graduate from Gardner High School, earned her Bachelor’s degree from Regis College and later her Master’s in Education from UMass Boston.

She married Edward J. (Joe) Fitzgerald in February 1973 and their son Scott was born in 1974.  They lived many years in Waltham. Joe died on December 2nd, 1984.

Her career in education spanned 30 years.  When she was hired for her first position as principal at the Bright Elementary School, she was the youngest principal ever hired in the City of Waltham and a positive role model for aspiring female administrators from the very beginning. She was a longtime principal at the Henry Whittemore Elementary School in Waltham, retiring in 1997.

She and her longtime companion, Richard (Dick) Spillane moved to Bradenton, Florida over twenty-five years ago. An avid golfer Patricia enjoyed many rounds of golf with Dick and her son Scott.

She leaves her son, Scott E. Fitzgerald and his wife, Jannine her grandson, Braden Fitzgerald of Bella Vista, Arkansas; her sister, Sharyn Sweeney and her husband, Jack of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; her longtime companion, Richard Spillane of Bradenton, Florida; many nieces & nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews.