Illa Fitzgerald

Illa Geneva Fitzgerald was considered a quiet, thoughtful woman, but family and friends say her legacy rings out loud and in unexpected ways.

Fitzgerald passed away suddenly Friday, February 26 at age 68 at Odessa Medical Center.

Born December 30, 1941 in Coleman, TX to R.C. Eaves and Nina Robbins Eaves, she married her high school sweetheart, James R. Fitzgerald Sr. on July 16, 1960 in Snyder, Texas. The couple moved to Andrews, TX and then later to New Mexico where they raised four children. During the years, James and Illa opened their home to many other children who needed a safe place equipped with plenty of kind and gentle guidance. She was known by those who loved her as Mema. Her children remember that, there was always plenty of love to go around and that we were fortunate to have such a great set of parents to share with others. Memas legacy taught us all to open our hearts and our homes to those in need.

Fitzgerald retired from the New Mexico Magistrate Courts after spending many years as a court clerk. She donated her energy towards her volunteer work with Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary Pink Ladies in Odessa. She was a member of the Easter Star and the Moose Lodge 1646 in Truth or Consequences, NM. She was an active member of the Crescent Park Baptist Church in Odessa. Her passion was Bingo and other games of chance.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a granddaughter, Charlotte A. Thomas, and a great granddaughter, Emma M. Fitzgerald.

Survivors include her sister, Fern Stark children, Nina Xan Simonson and husband Jeff, James R. Fitzgerald Jr. and fianc Shawna Knox, Gina A. Thomas and husband Paul, Robin L. Esquivel and husband John grandchildren, James R. Fitzgerald III, Tommy Terrell Randolph, Robert Jay Simonson, David F. Fitzgerald, J.J. Esquivel, Chad T. Simonson, Ashley G. Fitzgerald, Tanith Croy, Alexis Davis, Shelby Simonson, and Daryl Thomas great grandchildren, Paris N. Fitzgerald, Victoria McGillicudiSimonson, Leighann R. Fitzgerald, David J. Fitzgerald, Caleb J. McCurrin, Adysen Simonson, Skyler J. Gaona, Lorelei Hester, and Axel Davis and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice House, 903 N. Sam Houston, Odessa, Texas 79761 or to Ronald McDonald Family Room, 500 W. 4th Street, Odessa, Texas 79760.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for 57 PM Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, with David Pool and Greg Morris officiating.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
57 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Sunset Memorial Chapel
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
10:00 AM

Memorial Contributions

http://www.epartnersingiving.com/illagenevafitzgerald
903 N. Sam Houston Ave.
Odessa, TX  79761



500 W. 4th Street
Odessa, TX  79760