Phyllis Fitzgerald obituary: Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, East Haven

Phyllis A. Fitzgerald, 89 of East Haven, CT and Akron, OH passed away March 31, 2026 at Yale New Haven Hospital. She was born March 12, 1937 in New Haven to the late Edward and Florence (Fjellstedt) Fitzgerald. Phyllis is survived by her two siblings; John Edward Fitzgerald (Athena) of Sarasota, FL and Lois Ellen Fitzgerald of West Haven along with a niece, Alethea Trinkaus (Michael) of Ridgefield, CT and two nephews, Edward Fitzgerald (Lyudmila) of Ridgewood, NJ and Edward DePino of West Haven. She is also survived by several great nieces/nephews; Isabel, Caroline and Owen Trinkaus, Tatiana and Aleksandra Fitzgerald, Catherine Sheridan (Michael), Annalise and Gabriella DePino.

Phyllis grew up in East Haven and attended St. Mary's Catholic High School, she received her nursing degree from the Hospital of St. Raphael's School of Nursing, BSN from St. Louis University, MA from New York University and completed her PhD at the University of Arizona. She taught nursing at universities around the country including; Hawaii, Arizona and Southern Connecticut State University's School of Nursing. Phyllis eventually became the Associate Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Akron in Ohio, where she resided for 34 years. She had a deep love for her country and was a member of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserves and Air Force Nursing Corps for 21 years. She was called for active duty, and served her country, during Desert Storm in 1991. Phyllis retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves and was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame for her service. She was an active member of her local Catholic parish, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Parish Council Member and an active member of the American Legion. She was also a past member of the Akron Elk's Lodge and Waucoma Yacht Club. Phyllis loved to travel in the US and abroad, but more importantly, she always made the extra effort to attend the important days in the lives of her family. She led a life of service to others and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 9–10:30 AM in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home, 43 Kirkham Ave., East Haven. Her funeral procession will leave Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home for an 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 80 Taylor Ave., East Haven with full US Air Force Honors to follow at All Saints Cemetery in North Haven.