Obituary of Rosemary V. Fitzsimmons

On Friday November 15, 2024, Rosemary (Malady) Fitzsimmons, died peacefully at home in her bed. She was 85 years old. She was predeceased by the love of life, her husband of nearly 60 years, William John Fitzsimmons, who passed away 11 days earlier on November 4, 2024.  She is survived by her children MarySusan and Seth Rossinow, William John Fitzsimmons, Jr., Sean Fitzsimmons and Kate Miller, grandchildren Brandon, Julia, Natalie, Benjamin, Kaitlin and Olivia, sisters Maureen Ciccolini (Noe) and Denice Desiderio (Roger), brother in law Thomas Fitzsimmons, 16 nieces, nephews, their spouses, their children to whom she was lovingly known as “Aunt Ro” as well as numerous friends of her children, to whom she was affectionately called “Mrs. Fitz.” 

Rosemary was a constant advocate for her husband Bill who dealt with a myriad of health issues over the years. They shared a unique and special love, which touched all of those who were fortunate to be part of their world.

Rosemary was born on December 25, 1939 in the City of Newark to Anna (Szalkowski) and Dennis Malady. She was the eldest of five children, Dennis, Suzanne, Maureen and Denice. The Malady Family was raised on South 10^th Street in Newark, between 15^th and 16^th Avenue, a mere 4 blocks from West Side Park, where they went swimming in the summer and sledding in the winter.   

Rosemary graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School in 1957 where she was a proud member of the glee club and a mezzo-soprano.  In her yearbook, next to goals, it simply said: “To be a success.”

Success found her every step of the way throughout her life. She was fiercely devoted to the Malady side of her family, and at one time her parents and four of the five siblings all lived within a mile of each other in Maplewood, with the families of Rosemary, Maureen and Denice all living on the same block.  She was a devoted wife and a patient and loving mother. The Fitzsimmons home was filled at all times with homecooked meals, fresh baked goods, friends and an abundance of warmth and love. She was, quite simply, the epitome of what a  mother should be.

When all the kids were in school, Rosemary embarked on her next career as an administrator at South Orange Middle School. She was an integral part of the school’s operations during the 28 years that she worked there, many of them along with lifelong friends, the school principal, Dr. Ray Duchesneau, and the vice principal, Gerald Gonsalves, both of whom she remained in contact with long after they had all retired.

She saved her best act for last, becoming a devoted grandmother to her six grandchildren, who affectionately referred to her as Mema, and Lammy. Until the end, there was nothing she cherished more than a day spent with her children and grandchildren. They have all lost their greatest cheerleader.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday November 23 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 767 Prospect St., Maplewood. Interment is private.

For more information or to send condolences please visit jacobhollefuneralhome.com