Marie M. (Mahoney) Fitzgerald, 95, of Dartmouth passed away Friday September 20, 2024 after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Neil C. Fitzgerald.

Born and raised in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Francis C. and Lucy B. (Leonard) Mahoney, she lived in Dartmouth for many years.

She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church.

Marie had a long, satisfying career with the New Bedford School Department. She began as a teacher at the Jireh Swift School for 13 years before transitioning to Roosevelt Junior High School where she served as a guidance counselor for many years until her retirement. She was a graduate of Holy Family High School, Annhurst College in Connecticut where she received her Bachelor's degree, Boston University where she received her Master's degree, and Boston College where she received her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies.

She was a member of the Catholic Woman's Club, the Bristol County Retired Teachers Association, and the Anthony Beach Association. She was an avid bridge player, having been a member of a bridge club that met monthly for over 50 years. She also enjoyed attending concerts of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra at the Zeiterion Theater. She and her late husband had a keen interest in genealogy, often finding new relatives while researching their Irish roots.

She is survived by her sister, Louise Whelton; her niece, Dr. Mary Louise Francis and her husband Paul Sylvia; three nephews, James Whelton and his wife Mary Warnement, David Whelton and his wife Anabel Whelton, and Matthew Whelton and his wife Kristin; her great-niece, Erin Sylvia and her fiancé Kevin Killavey; and six great-nephews, Adam Sylvia and his wife Tracy Lindboe-Sylvia, Marcos Whelton, Santiago Whelton, Mateo Whelton, Samuel Whelton and Joseph Whelton.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Rev. Francis L. Mahoney and Anne C. Francis, and her nephew, James J. Francis.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Laurelwood Assisted Living, as well as the doctors, nurses and support staff at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth for their outstanding kindness and compassion shown to Marie in her final days.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday September 24th at 11 AM at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday September 23rd from 2-4 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Mary's Church, 789 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, MA 02748. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.