Mary Kay Fitzpatrick

Mary Kay Fitzpatrick, age 84, formerly of Elizabeth, Illinois, passed away Thursday, January 12 at Allure of Mount Carroll with the support of Freeport Health Network Hospice.

Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., with the Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00 a.m., both on Friday, January 20 at St. Mary’s Church in Elizabeth, Illinois. Rev. Michael Morrissey will officiate. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery immediately following.

Mary Kay was born August 31, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Clemens and Loretta Kauth. On December 26, 1959 she married Paul Fitzpatrick and together they enjoyed 63 years of marriage.

Mary Kay was employed as a Registered Nurse and later taught continuing education courses at the Elizabeth Vocational School. She was also instrumental in establishing the Home Health Care program through the Jo Daviess County Health Department. Together with her husband Paul, she opened a dress shop in Elizabeth, turning her love of fashion into a business. Over the years Mary Kay was an active volunteer at St. Mary’s Parish in Elizabeth, offering her talents as Religious Education instructor for parish youth, a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, and for several years was responsible for decorating the Church environment. Mary Kay was a devoted wife and mother. As a stay-at-home mom, her primary focus was caring for her five children. She loved managing their household and hosting family gatherings.

Survivors include her husband, Paul; two daughters, Bridgid (Tim) Hoffman of East Moline, IL, and Mary Eileen (Wes) Hargrove of Cary, IL; three sons, Christopher Fitzpatrick (Frederick Ochave) of Virginia Beach, VA, Greg (Colleen) Fitzpatrick of Sherrill, IA, and Jeff (Judy) Fitzpatrick of Mt. Carroll, IL. Mary Kay is survived by her brother, Ken (Amy) Kauth of Palatine, IL. Mary Kay was blessed with 11 grandchildren, Kurt (Rachael) Krohmer, Kate Krohmer, Michael (Beth) Fitzpatrick, John Fitzpatrick, Steven (Becca) Fitzpatrick, Megan (Jonathan) Nerdig, Melissa (Levi) Jones, Marcus Fitzpatrick, Cory Hargrove, Paige (Kyle) Wilton, and Gabbi Hargrove; three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Mary Kay was preceded in death by her parents. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Dubuque, the staff of Allure of Mt. Carroll, and Freeport Health Network Hospice.

Law-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society ( https://donate3.cancer.org ).