Diane H. Fitzgerald

ALBANY- Diane Haines Fitzgerald, 66, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Born in Troy, the second daughter of five of the late Marvin J. and Gloria Sarrault Haines, she was a 1965 graduate of the former Keveny Memorial Academy, Cohoes, NY. Subsequently, she received her Child Care Technician Certificate from St. Catherine’s Child Care Center, Albany in 1966. Called initially to religious life, she was a Novice of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Latham, NY. Later, she went on to receive her Associate Degree in Nursing in 1972 from Hudson Valley Community College and was awarded a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate from the University of Michigan in 1976. Diane had a varied career as a Nurse working at St. Clare’s Hospital, Schenectady, NY; McMahon Services for Children, New York City; Marion Lodge/ Pyramid Lake Camp; St. Peter’s Hospital and Hospice; Albany Medical College (the first nurse clinician of the Pediatric Cancer Program, now the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders); Director of Nursing , St. Margaret’s House and Hospital for Babies, Albany; Wilton Developmental Center, Wilton, NY; and Hospice of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville, Fl. She gave up her nursing career in 1988 to venture into the most rewarding part of her life, caring for her son, Christopher Martin, who passed away in 2002 of Cystic Fibrosis, while also sharing her support and expertise in assisting her husband’s naval career and with those whom she met in the Navy at their various duty stations. Diane served on the Board of Directors, Pyramid Lake Camp and was an active member of the Autism Society of Northern Virginia. Since her husband’s Navy retirement and their relocation to Albany, she served as a volunteer for the Catholic Charities of Albany Grandparent Respite Caregiver Program, as well as worked as a Nurse for Beginnings, a special needs early intervention program in Lansingburgh. Diane’s final act of charity and contribution to medicine was her donation of organs to others. Aside from her late son, Christopher, she was the beloved wife of Commander Joseph G. Fitzgerald, U.S. Navy (Retired) since July, 1986; sister of Rev. Marlene Haines (Rev. Thomas Wand), Sandra Haines (Susan Pagel), Janice M. Haines; and Gale C. Hack (Michael J. Hack, Jr.) She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, as well as many friends, locally and across the country, especially her Navy “family.” Funeral services Saturday, March 8 at 12:00 Noon at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 N. Allen St., Albany, thence to Blessed Sacrament Church at 1:30 PM, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home Friday, March 7 from 4-7 PM. A heartfelt thank you is extended to Diane’s many caregivers through the years, and most especially, for the kindness and professionalism of the Critical Care Unit nursing staff at St. Peter’s Hospital, during her last days. Those who wish may send contributions in her memory to the Wildwood Foundation, 2995 Curry Rd. Extension, Schenectady, NY 12303 or Make A Wish of Northeast NY, 1 Mustang Dr., Cohoes, NY 12047. To leave a message for the family, obtain directions or for other helpful services, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

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Diane H. Fitzgerald

May 23, 1947 - March 1, 2014