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Obituary for Christine "Chris" N. Fitzgerald
Christine “Chris” Norris Fitzgerald of Monument, Colorado died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on August 3rd, 2022. She was 75.
She was born on September 14th, 1946, in Marshalltown, Iowa to Albert L. and Betty Benziger Norris. Chris was raised on a family farm, contributing to her love for animals that she carried forward to include cats, dogs, and several years raising alpacas with her husband John. Chris attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and Marshalltown High School, graduating in 1964 and then graduated from Midwestern University in Denison, Iowa in 1970.
On February 13th, 1971, Chris married John “Fitz” Fitzgerald, celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary just last year. In their happy 51 years of marriage, they followed John’s career in sales and as a business owner from Wisconsin and Ohio to the Tri Lakes area in 1985. Chris and John shared a rich and fulfilling life together that included camping with family and traveling the country via RV (visiting family and friends along the way); hosting family and friends for cookouts, holiday dinners, and pool parties; ocean cruises with friends; and just times spent together at home where Chris enjoyed gardening, and especially crafts like stamping and card making. Chris had a particular love for books and reading, working as a librarian at various times throughout her life.
Chris was extraordinarily dedicated to family and friends: her nephews, friends and their families, and employees and volunteers she worked with. By no means was this dedication limited to those she knew and loved. Chris had an unwavering sense of purpose to assist those in need, volunteering time and providing financial support. This includes years of volunteer work at Tri Lakes Cares, the library at St. Peter Catholic School, the library at St. Peter the Rock Chapel, as well as contributing to initiatives like funding educational resources for the Porcupine School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and supporting Mater Filius, a new home in Colorado Springs for expectant/new mothers. Mentioning these only scratches the surface of all the people and organizations that Chris has supported over the years, through organized initiatives and through small acts of kindness. Card making and stamping were not just hobbies for Chris because so many people will remember her by the handmade cards she sent out even for the smallest of occasions or to let somebody know that she was thinking about them.
Christine is survived by her loving family, husband John M. Fitzgerald; sister Shelley (Kim) Barron of Marshalltown, IA; nephews Matthew (Sally) Oberle of Fort Collins, CO, Alex (Hillery) Oberle of Cedar Falls, IA, David Varney of Chicago, IL, and Steven Varney of Mundelein, IL. Chris is also survived by cherished cousins in New Mexico, Colorado, Maine, and Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister (Nannette Oberle).
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM with Rosary prior to Mass at 9:30 AM on Thursday, August 11th at St. Peter Catholic Church at 55 N. Jefferson St., Monument.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mater Filius, a soon to open home in Colorado Springs for expectant/new mothers facing an unexpected pregnancy. Mater Filius provides housing, child enrichment, parenting skills, transportation, job assistance, mentoring, and other support and resources.
Please direct contributions to: St. Peter Catholic Church: Mater Filius 55 Jefferson Street Monument, CO 80132
