Obituary of Emagene Fitzgerald

Emagene "Jean" Fitzgerald of State College, 91, died early Tuesday morning, February 26th, at the Fairways in State College following a brief illness. For the four weeks of her illness, her family constantly and lovingly embraced her. Born Emagene Mae Mertz in St. Johns, Ohio, on December 27th in 1921, she was the oldest child of Carson and Farrel Mertz. On New Year's Day in 1944, at the Nittany Avenue home of the Rev. and Mrs. Howard Fitzgerald, she married Clinton Howard Fitzgerald. They met at Penn State in the early 1940's while she was a secretary at the college and he was an engineering student. Their love helped them endure the separations caused by his service as a Navy officer during World War II. Together again after the war, they both found work at the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Co. in Baltimore, Maryland, she a secretary and he an electrical-mechanical engineer. In the late 1940's, they moved to Franklin, PA where he continued his career as an engineer at the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company and their first child, Charles, was born. A final move to State College came in 1952 as he accepted a job offer from the then Ordinance Research Laboratory (ARL) on the Penn State campus and Michael, Ann and Richard were born in the coming years. Two sons survive Jean, Pastor Charles A. Fitzgerald and Jill of rural Tyrone and Richard D. Fitzgerald and Carol of State College. She is also survived by her brother, Carson "Sonny" Mertz (Barbara) of Sandy Lake, Pennsylvania. These beloved grandchildren also survive Jean: Kristen Fitzgerald and Bill of Pittsburgh and Emily and Andrew Schuchart of Syracuse, New York, Melissa (Patrick) Manion of St. Claire, PA and Michael Auman of Middleburg, PA. She also leaves four great-grandchildren: Cody, Jace and Emma Manion and Kaden Auman. Jean's sister, Marjorie Ann Mertz Inniss, died in 1987. The sorrow of her life was the loss of three children. William Mertz Fitzgerald died at birth in 1961. Ann died in 1989 at 35 after a lifelong battle with juvenile diabetes. Michael died at 51 in 2004 after a lifelong battle with juvenile diabetes. Jean's care and love for these diabetic children was the best a mother could give and their passing left her in grief all her days. As a beloved family photo of Jean in front of Old Main shows, Jean proudly dedicated parts of her life, early and late, to being a secretary in many departments at Penn State. She once served a brief time in the President's office. She loved her profession, working into her 70's and learning new skills during an assignment at the Pattee Library. Caring with total devotion for two chronically ill children and then her mother and then her seriously ill husband for basically 40 years altogether, there was little time for full-time work. Her times at Penn State were cherished to the very end. A "typical State College 1950's mom," Jean made her time for her children's activities like Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, PTA meetings, soccer practices, basketball practices, Junior Museum and more and to her beloved St. Paul's United Methodist Church Sunday School Class. Most of all, even while being by her admission a very private person, she was able to reach out to others as a person of grace and generosity. She was a quietly beautiful person who enjoyed a good piece of pie at the Autoport or the sending of flowers to friend or neighbor on any occasion she could think flowers should be sent. Jean will be remembered by a time of visitation at the Koch Funeral Home in State College on Wednesday, March 6th, from 6-8 PM. A Service in Witness to the Resurrection will be held Thursday, March 7th, at 11 AM at St. Peter's UCC in Pine Hall, 1795 West College Avenue, State College, PA, officiated by her son. At Jean's request, there will be no viewing at the visitation or service. The family requests, with appreciation, that gifts be given to St. Paul's UMC, 109 McAllister St., State College, PA, 16801 and to St. Peter's UCC (at the above address), in her name. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.