Edith Ann Parkin FitzGerald

Edith Ann Parkin FitzGerald passed away peacefully on August 30, 2021. Known as “Edie” she was born in San Diego on May 14th, 1934 to Alice and Ernest Parkin.  She was pre-deceased by her older sister, Dorothy Parkin Amacker and her brother, John David Parkin.

Always a free-spirited California girl, Edie brought sunshine, happiness and good vibes to all she encountered. Edie enjoyed a wonderful childhood in Chula Vista, California, before graduating from UC Berkeley and embarking on her “European adventure” where she taught grammar school for the U.S. Army, traveled with friends and zoomed around in her Porsche she affectionally named “Ms. P.” While in Europe, Edie met “a handsome red-headed Army Lieutenant named Joseph.”  The rest, as they say, is history.  Edie and Joe were married in December 1962. Edie spent the next 30 years raising her family wherever the Army sent them – Arizona, Kansas, North Carolina, New York, California, and England.  Edie supported Joe in all his military assignments and kept the home fires burning. She finally planted roots in New Jersey, where she had continued to reside for the past 35 years, most recently in Long Branch, with her loving aide and buddy, Ricky, whom she called her best friend. Edie embraced and enjoyed all that life offered and didn’t skip a beat when she hit a bump in the road - she would never complain, instead she would flash a grin and keep on going. She was an active Army wife and enjoyed travelling, volunteering for various community organizations such as the Fort Monmouth Thrift Shop, Meals on Wheels, Girl Scouts, teaching Sunday school, spending time with her family and as a member of various gourmet cooking clubs. She lived her life with grace, unwavering faith, and a dash of humor; however, most of all, she will be remembered for her huge heart filled with kindness and unconditional love.   

When asked how her family would know she had made it to Heaven, she said she would “send a rainbow.”  And she did just that.  Edie was a loving and devoted mother to Mary (husband Kurt), P.J. (husband Chris), Brian (wife, Kathy), Carole (husband Tony) and Tom (wife Elizabeth). Her legacy also includes her precious grandchildren: Bradley, Tyler, Konrad, Gwendolyn, Mitchell, Zachary, Colin, Jack, Benjamin, Teagan, Finn and Madeline.  Each and every one carries the shine of her optimism and Christian charity.  She was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Joe,  in 2019 and will once again be by his side in Arlington National Cemetery. Edie will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from 6-8 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue in Long Branch. Funeral, Wednesday, 8:30 am from the funeral home with a Mass celebrated at 9:30 am at Saint Michael’s Church in West End, Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Foundation, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the Parkinson’s Foundation, www.parkinson.org. Letter of condolence may be sent to the family by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link above.

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