Meredith Anne FitzGerald Brunette, the daughter of the late James P. and Anne G. Claffey FitzGerald, passed into eternal life on Friday, September 25, at the age of 84. Meredith graduated from the Lyme and Old Lyme, Connecticut schools and then completed an enlistment in the United States Air Force. At Westover AFB, she met and married Robert F., her husband of 60 years. Following graduation from Westfield State College, she taught in the Springfield Public Schools, at Talmadge Elementary, with dedication and love for her students. Meredith was predeceased by Robert, and they leave six children, Eric (Amy) of East Longmeadow, Douglas (Jennifer) of Holyoke, Stephen (Christina) and Thomas (Erica) of Longmeadow, Robert (Suzanne) of Highland Village, TX, and Elizabeth (John) Montigny of Somerset, MA. Meredith is survived by her sisters, Beth F. Leino and Kathleen F. Volkening, and her brother James P. FitzGerald, Jr. She was predeceased by her sister Valerie Stanovich. Meredith was the beloved “Nana” to 18 beautiful grandchildren, whom she adored.
Meredith was a member of St. Michael Fraternity, Order Franciscans Secular, for 28 years. As a devoted communicant of St. Mary’s Parish, Longmeadow, Meredith was a part of many ministries, devotions, and a member and chair of numerous committees. She was particularly pleased with her association with the St. Jude Service Club, which she and her friend, Patricia St. Amand, organized in 1982. The club has served a monthly meal for the Loaves and Fishes food program for those in need for almost forty years.
Meredith loved and prayed dearly for her family and friends, and she lived a life devoted to Jesus Christ and the Church through her vocations as a wife, mother, teacher and Franciscan. Her family is blessed by her works and her light will continue to shine on them.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 519 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Family and friends will meet directly at church. A private burial and military honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 5-7 p.m. at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA 01118. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.