Obituary of Elizabeth A. FitzGerald

Elizabeth Ann (Kopko) FitzGerald, 80, of Manchester, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023. She was born in Gary, Indiana to her parents Michael and Ann (Balash) Kopko. 

She is loved and survived by her six children: Angela Landolphi and her husband, Robert of Hampton, CT; Kathleen FitzGerald of Maynard, MA; Michael FitzGerald and his wife Jacey Nguyen of Smyrna, GA; Edward FitzGerald and his wife Jill of Mableton, GA; Kevin FitzGerald and his wife Darlene of Coventry, CT; and Maryanna FitzGerald of Smyrna, GA. She is also survived by her ten loving grandchildren.

Elizabeth is predeceased by her parents and her sister, Joan Gluth of Salem, OR and her former husband, Edward J. FitzGerald, Jr.

In life, Elizabeth, known as Bunny to her friends, was a vibrant and spirited woman. She grew up in San Diego, CA and graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor’s degree. She studied both Mathematics and Dietetics. During the Vietnam War era, Elizabeth served the country by enlisting in the US Army. She earned the rank of 1st Lieutenant and worked as a dietician in the burn unit of Brook General Hospital at Fort Sam Houston, TX. She earned the National Defense Service Medal. 

After her time in the military, Elizabeth and her husband moved from California to Connecticut where they went on to raise their six children. Her family meant the world to her. She showed her love through her tireless support of her children’s endeavors, from sports to the arts to academics. It was important to Elizabeth that her children were exposed to the many wonders of the United States as well as multiple genres of performing arts. She instilled in them core values of love, faith and compassion that they are now passing on to their own children. She also fostered many friendships and loved dancing, playing Bridge, bowling and spending time with neighbors. Elizabeth worked as a dietician in several nursing homes in CT; and she was a faithful communicant of Assumption Roman Catholic Church. She was blessed with ten grandchildren who brought her immeasurable joy.  

The FitzGerald family is grateful to the many caregivers who cared for Elizabeth in her home with kindness and love during her time of need. 

Family and friends may call on the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 W. Center St. in Manchester on Monday, February 13th, 2023, from 4-7 pm. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 14th at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Baltic at 10 a.m. followed by a Christian burial with military honors at the Hillstown Road Veterans Cemetery, 180 Hillstown Rd., Manchester.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given In Memory of Elizabeth, to the Parkinson's Foundation. https://www.parkinson.org/