Marie Fitzgerald

Marie Marcella (Zapalac) Fitzgerald of Beeville, Texas entered eternal rest on Nov. 20, 2021. She was 95 years old.

Marie was born at home in Oakland, Texas, on Jan. 15, 1926. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Zapalac. In her younger years, she worked as a nurse in Weimar, Texas. She married LeeRoy Fitzgerald in Weimar on May 8, 1946. They later settled in McAllen, Texas.

Marie and LeeRoy were blessed with four daughters: Doris, Linda, Gail and Dina. She enjoyed reading and fishing. She was active in the McAllen VFW Ladies Auxiliary, serving many positions including president for several terms and head of Operation Christmas and Poppy sales.

LeeRoy passed away on Jan. 11, 1989. In her later years, Marie lived with her daughters in Beeville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Ervin and Joe Zapalac, daughter Doris Cochran and great-great-grandson Heath Lane Kopplin-Gisler.
Marie is survived by daughters Linda Coffey and husband David, Gail Sample and husband John, and Dina Berry and husband Richard, all of Beeville; and sister Josie Janca of Edna.

She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and their spouses: Lisa (Lonnie), Bruce (Julia), Steve (Lisa), Laura (Tyler), David Jr., Jeff (Kelly), Joe (Misty), Lynn (Stephen), Janessa (Andy), Dusty (Loni), Jennifer (Tim) and Christopher; 27 great-grandchildren: Josh, Sydney, Liam, Audrey, Uriah, Julianna, Davis, Heather (Cody), Brittany (Dalton), Lonnie Jr. (Jeff), Myles (Emily), Dalton (Stormie), Amanda (Garrett), David III, Granvell Dylan, Ethan, Wyatt, Joel (Anahi), Charlie, Dylan, John, Sam, Jack, Eabha, Delaney, Emma and Christion; and seven great-great-grandchildren: Kimora, Gabby, Ethan, Walker, Everleigh, Gavin and Jamie.

Funeral services will take place Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beeville with viewing from 10 to 11 a.m. A Rosary will be recited at 11 a.m. followed by the Mass celebration at 11:30 a.m.

Her grandsons, Bruce Cochran, Steve Cochran, Lloyd David Coffey Jr., Jeff Cochran, Joe Sample, Dustin Berry and Christopher Berry, will serve as pallbearers.

Family and friends will gather for fellowship and memories at VFW Post 9170 in Beeville from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Marie will be buried next to her husband, LeeRoy, at Roselawn Cemetery and Mausoleum in McAllen at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 29.