Mary Fitzpatrick

Mary Fitzpatrick was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, daughter, and a friend to so many people she met along the way. She was a fighter till the very end surrounded by her husband, Kevin, and son Michael as well as the grace and peace that God blessed her with for all her days. She passed at 11:25 a.m., December 27, 2022. Mary was born on January 5, 1945, in Schenectady, N.Y. Born Mary Francis Yanni, she was the apple of her family's eye and the close friend of her Mount Pleasant crew who remained that way for years while they vacationed together and stayed as close as a band of sisters throughout their later years. So many of her Italian generations went before her and her indelible stamp is left behind in the memories, genetics, stories, and family. Mary's work and her family were the best parts of her story. She made a difference in the lives of so many teachers, students, counselors, administrators, and families. Mary cared about her kids, and it was evident in her work with Alethia House and later for 13 years in the Bessemer City School District in Birmingham, Ala., where she lived for 20 years. Mary retired and moved to Fayetteville, Ark., with her husband on the promise of an early retirement after which she enjoyed her nearly 18 years of time in NWA. Mary was a giver and was always engaging in activities that furthered her understanding and commitment to a just world and even in the last days that she was with us, felt energized enough to watch the Hogs play basketball! Mary leaves behind a wonderful legacy and will be remembered by friends and family as someone without a mean-spirited bone in her body and a smile that would light up the room. She was so proud of her children, Amanda, Aaron, and Michael. Amanda, Michael, Courtney, and their children are left behind to remember that light that was so bright in their world with their mom and their Nini in it. Her grandchildren, Owen, Julia, Gisele, and William were her everything. She never stopped talking to them or about them. So important for Mary was her deep faith. She was truly a woman of God…constantly wanting to learn more, dig deeper, and be present in God's word as much as she could. From her time in Birmingham at Discovery UMC, where she first had come to a better understanding of the word of God, to her time in Fayetteville, spending time learning and living life with her church family at Central UMC and Fayetteville Fellowship. It was fantastic to witness and to be a part of a bond that was so faith led. There will be plans soon to celebrate Mary's life in worship and memories and love where we will gather at Fellowship Fayetteville. As much as she loved flowers, if you are led to give anything in her honor, you can donate to New Beginnings Bridge Housing Community or Single Parent Scholarship--two nonprofits that are doing the work that Mary was deeply committed to and passionate about. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com