She was born on Jan. 7, 1957, in Billings, Montana. She graduated from the University of Montana and married John Fitzgerald in 1979. They moved to Brunswick when John began teaching at Bowdoin in 1983. Though enjoying the life the couple made in Maine, Susan looked forward to her annual family vacation to visit her family in Montana.
Susan worked as a Christian education director for children and families, first at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and then at First Parish Church in Brunswick. She loved children and hoped to help children appreciate a spiritual life beyond themselves. She loved labyrinths as a spiritual meditation walk for all ages and faiths and appropriately the new outdoor labyrinth on the Brunswick Topsham Land Trust property near the Settlemire Community Garden is dedicated in her honor.
She was a devoted wife and mother who spread love and care abundantly and effortlessly. In earlier years, she found time to serve with the Literacy Volunteers of Mid Coast Maine, and Partner’s in Education in Maine.
She is predeceased by her father Thomas Eugene Heald, and her brother Stephen Conley Heald.
She is survived by her husband John Michael Fitzgerald of Brunswick; a daughter Elise Christine O’Connor and her husband Michael Edward O’Connor of Brunswick, MT; a son Jay Thomas Fitzgerald and his wife Nichole Danielle Fitzgerald of Alexandria, VA; her mother Carol Ann Conley Heald of Billings, MT; a brother Thomas (Skip) Heald Jr. and his wife Karen Heald of Billings, MT; her sister Nancy Edith Heald of Billings, MT; a grandson Charles John Fitzgerald of Alexandria, VA; her niece Elizabeth Jere Lay of Billings, MT.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at First Parish Church, Maine Street, Brunswick. A second memorial service will be held in Billings, MT at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to First Parish Church, 9 Cleaveland St., Brunswick, ME 04011 to support the labyrinth ministry or to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences and memories can be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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