Laura Elizabeth Fitzgerald (née Rudick), a lifelong resident of Irvington, New York, passed away peacefully at her home in Queen Creek, Arizona, on December 10, at the age of 91.
Laura, born on September 6, 1934, at her aunt’s home in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey, was raised in Irvington, New York, where she lived her whole life, as had her father before her. She attended Irvington public schools, where she was an exceptional student and participated as a cheerleader, softball player, and an outstanding basketball player whose competitive skill was feared and respected by opponents.
Before her marriage, Laura worked for Lord & Burnham Company of Irvington, and later was for many years the bookkeeper for Performance Motors in Dobbs Ferry, New York, retiring in 2014 at the age of 80.
Two years ago, she moved to Arizona to live with her daughter, where she spent her final years surrounded by family.
She is survived by her sister, Susanne Ruotolo (Joseph Ruotolo) of Dobbs Ferry, New York; her children, Edward Fitzgerald (Daryl Samuel) of Manhattan, New York, Debra Buxbaum (Paul Buxbaum) of Queen Creek, Arizona, and Kevin Fitzgerald (Cheryl Fitzgerald) of Oracle, Arizona; her grandchildren, Christyne Fitzgerald of Arvada, Colorado, Arwen Fitzgerald (Andrew Miller) of Little Falls, New Jersey, Ashley Fitzgerald of Irvington, New York, Kelsie Buxbaum of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Connor Fitzgerald (Tasha Fitzgerald) of Oakland Gardens, New York; and her great-grandchildren, Tristan and Alexander Miller of Little Falls, New Jersey. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and friends.
Her husband, George Fitzgerald Jr., and her son, Steven Fitzgerald, passed away previously.
A Celebration of Life will be held in New York in the spring of 2026. Family and friends will be invited to attend.
Donations in her honor can be made to the World Wildlife Fund(worldwildlife.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).
