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Shelley Fitzgerald

July 31, 1949 - January 28, 2015
Vicksburg, MI

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Visitation

Friday, February 6, 2015
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Vicksburg United Methodist Church
217 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-2343
Web Site

Service

Friday, February 6, 2015
1:00 PM EST
Vicksburg United Methodist Church
217 South Main Street
Vicksburg, MI 49097
(269) 649-2343
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

St. Jude Children's Hospital
262 Danny Thomas Place
Memphis, TN 38105
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Wedel's Nursery Florist & Garden Center
5020 Texas Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-1195
Driving Directions

Heirloom Rose
407 S. Grand St.
Schoolcraft, MI 49087
(269) 679-3010
Driving Directions
Web Site

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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For Shelley Fitzgerald, life was never about the endless pursuit of the American dream or the accumulation of wealth or possessions, rather, her focus was on living fully in the moments she was given while remaining content in everything that came her way. It has been said that she had a magnetic personality and a warm and approachable demeanor that drew others near with ease. Shelley had a keen appreciation for nature and could find the beauty in the most majestic sunset or the intricate details of a flower. It was easy to see that her family was her greatest source of pride and joy, and it was when surrounded by her loved ones that she experienced true happiness. Shelley will be missed for her amazing cooking, her positive outlook, and her breathtaking art, but it was her unending love for those she treasured that will be her lasting legacy.

With the end of WWII in 1945, America was making the shift to being a nation at peace once again. Rationing had become a thing of the past, manufacturing was no longer focused on supporting the war effort, and countless young servicemen and women returned home to resume the lives they set aside while serving. Amidst this transitional time, Gerald “Jerry” and Ruth (Macomber) Fitzgerald were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the heat of the summer blanketed the small town of Vicksburg, Michigan, in 1949. The big day finally arrived on July 31st when the baby girl they named Shelley Lynn drew her first breath. She was the younger of two children in her family as she was raised alongside her older brother, Dennis.

For the most part Shelley was a young girl of her generation. Her father supported their family as a small businessman who also built a bowling alley in Vicksburg while her mother, a former teacher, stayed home to care for the kids. Shelley attended local schools including Vicksburg High School where she played the flute in the band. She developed an appreciation for art and was a talented seamstress from a young age. Shelley graduated from high school in 1967 as the class salutatorian with the second highest GPA. This meant that Shelley also gave a speech to her class.

With her high school education behind her, Shelley went on to Western Michigan University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology. She put her degree to good use as a teacher at Battle Creek Central for three years. From there Shelley worked as a realtor for a time and also as an artist for many years while raising her family, before going into nursing. She had most recently been working as a nutritionist and wellness coordinator who owned her own franchise of Juice Plus for whom she was also the national marketing director. In the early seventies she was married to a man named Larry Rogers for 8 1/2 years.

New and exciting changes were in store for Shelley when she became better acquainted with a certain coworker. His name was Donald Doyle, and he asked her out on a date in 1980. Love took root, and with a desire to make a life together they were married on September 28, 1981, on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii. Together they welcomed two children, Todd and Brittany, into their hearts and home. Shelley was a fantastic cook, which was something her family greatly appreciated. Among her specialties were her spinach artichoke casserole and cookies, but brownies were here ultimate weakness!

As her family and friends can attest, Shelley was always a bustle of activity. She was a talented artist who even created and hand delivered an ornament to the White House for Christmas during the Clinton administration. With a love for biology and nature, Shelley incorporated these concepts into her art whenever she could. Her sculptures also had messages of healing. A woman of faith, Shelley was baptized at the First Congregational Church in Kalamazoo as an adult. She was continually looking for God in nature. Shelley loved going to Indian Lake as it was such a special place to her. She had hopes of going to Ireland, or the “mother land” as she called it, but was unable to make this dream come to fruition. With a passion for the arts, she enjoyed going to see musicals and plays including Phantom of the Opera and CATS. When it came to music, Celtic music, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, and the Bee Gees were favorites. Over the years Shelley created an impressive collection of stones and became well versed in their spiritually.

Shelley and her loved ones were given a difficult pill to swallow when she was diagnosed with stage four cancer. She was so brave and courageous, and she was determined to beat cancer in order to help others. Sadly, this was not to be.

All who knew Shelley Fitzgerald would agree that she was truly a blessing. She was caring and compassionate with an unbelievable strength that carried her through all things. Shelley believed in doing things right and was a self admitted perfectionist whose strong work ethic was applied to everything she did. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten by all who were blessed to feel her touch.

Shelley L Fitzgerald, of Vicksburg, died on Wednesday, January 28th, 2015. Shelley’s family includes her two children: Brittany ( Boris) Meda, of Toronto, ON; Todd Fitzgerald Doyle, of Kalamazoo; and her brother: Dennis (Jeanne) Fitzgerald, of Battle Creek. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6th at 1 p.m. at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Please visit Shelley’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guestbook and share a memory and/or photo. Those who wish may make contributions to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

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