Obituary of Joanne Fitzpatrick

Joanne N. Fitzpatrick, age 86, of Malone, NY, passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021 at The Alice Center. Born in Malone on May 28, 1935, Joanne was the daughter of Francis (“Jim”) Nicklaw and Beatrice Gordon. She married William “Bill” Fitzpatrick on June 30, 1956, at Notre Dame Church in Malone, NY. He predeceased her on December 7, 2014. Joanne graduated from Franklin Academy with the class of 1952. After high school, she worked at the NYS Board of Education. She and her husband lived briefly at the Air Force Base in Rome, NY, where they met many lifelong friends before returning to Malone to raise a family. Joanne worked as secretary for St Joseph’s Church for several years before taking a position at the Franklin County Courthouse as secretary to Judge Robert G. Main, Sr. She went on to work as personal secretary to the Hon. Robert G. Main, Jr. A devout Catholic and lifelong member of St Joseph’s Church, Joanne was strong in her faith and frequently volunteered throughout the community. She donated over 100 pints of blood in her lifetime, and read every book in the Wead Library—twice. She loved walking in any weather, her “volleyball girls,” crossword puzzles, St. Theresa, the Hallmark Channel, African violets, and peanut butter on everything. She appreciated each and every day, and was loved by all who knew her. An exemplary life well-led as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be missed dearly. Joanne is survived by five children: Lynn of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Michael and his wife Andrea of Raleigh, North Carolina, Bridget of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Matthew and his wife Mindy of Morehead City, North Carolina, and Kevin and his wife Jennifer of Winchester, Virginia; and nine grandchildren: Matthew Jr., Benjamin, Everett, Annie, Amelia, Thomas, Natalie, Henry, and Lindy. She was predeceased by two children, Nancy and Jason, and siblings Gerald, Betty, and James. A funeral mass will take place at Notre Dame Church in Malone on Saturday November 13, 2021 at 12:00 noon. Calling hours will take place Friday from 3:00 PM- 6:00 PM at Frary Funeral Home. A celebration of Joanne’s life will be held on Saturday afternoon, following burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Details will be announced after the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sisters and Brothers of Maryknoll.