Mary Ann (Granny) Fitzpatrick passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday November 13, 2020 in Helena. She was 89 years old.
Mary Ann was born at the Columbus Hospital in Great Falls, Montana in October 1931 to Elizabeth and Frank Kappes. She was the youngest of 5 children, raised by her mother and older siblings. Her father died when she was very young.
She grew up in Great Falls through the Great Depression and WWII. Times were hard and she helped her mother with cleaning houses and doing laundry. Her summers were spent working her Grandparents ranch in Havre, MT. With the young men away at war, she was herding cattle, riding horses and driving farm equipment at the tender age of 11. She was very much a tomboy. It was said that she beat up every bully in the neighborhood, including those that had picked on her older brothers.
She attended St Mary’s Catholic School until graduation in 1949. There she met her future husband Thomas Fitzpatrick. They were married December 29, 1951 at Holy Family Church. Over the next 40 years they raised 6 children, five boys and one adorable little girl. The family moved to Helena in the summer of 1975.
Mary Ann gained book keeping experience at the College of Great Falls and worked at various businesses throughout her career. Once retired, she and Tom purchased an RV and traveled the country, pulling a little truck behind them.
When Tom passed away in 1992, Mary Ann divided her time between her sons in Helena and her daughter’s military family. Through her daughter’s husband’s military career, Mary Ann continued her travels throughout the United States, Hawaii and all-over Western Europe.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents; Frank and Elizabeth Kappes, her stepfather; Robert McLaughlin, her siblings; Marge, Joe, Jack and Bill. She is survived by her children Tim, Dan, Brian, Mary Beth (Godfrey), Scott and John. She was blessed with many Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
Due to the corona virus, the family has chosen to have a very small memorial service for Mary Ann and to celebrate her life with friends and family at a future date.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Hospice Nurses who cared for Mary Ann at the end of her life: Jamie, Kerri and McKayla.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Lori Raprager says
Tim, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Mom. Sounds like she was a pretty special lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Darla at this time.
Jan Denke says
Tim and Darla, Mark and I are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, May God comfort you and your family. Jan and Mark Denke
Gerard Boland says
Tim and Brian …Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on the passing of your Mother. Take care…
Gerard and Laurie
Ober Judy says
Scott Sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I used to see her at Mass on Sunday Am We would get there a little after 7:00 AM and she was almost always there already. I heard about her so much from Kathy Redd that I felt I knew her. May God’s Blessing be with you and your family
Judy Ober
Virgil and Cathy Kaiser says
Dear Fitzpatrick family – our most sincere condolences on the passing of your Mother. Virgil loved that she continued to golf during the annual St Fitzpatrick Day celebration and the way she kept Scott and John in line (sort of). Virg said she was an absolute hoot! We were so sad to learn of the news. You all are in our prayers for this most difficult time.
Jeff Ebert says
Dear Fitzpatrick’s one and all,
We are so sad to hear the passing of your mother. She was a great lady. She optimized living life to it’s fullest. Her family was her main focus. Enjoy all the memories of your awesome Mom. You are all in our prayers and thoughts. Hopefully we can get together to share a Jameson toast to a wonderful lady. All our best Jeff and Mary Ebert
John Moore says
Tim — Sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. Such a loss may seem a normal occurrence in life, but at the same time, it is heart-breaking. Peace to you and all your family members.
Michael Glueckert says
John and family I’m very sorry of your loss. Prayers too all of you!
P.J. McHugh says
Very sorry for your loss.
Jesse and Robin Johnson says
We were sorry to hear of the passing of Granny. As part of her Military family we were grateful to know and be with her on travels around Europe. We have all of you in our prayers.
David Hoff says
Hello Fitzpatrick family, so sorry for your loss. If there was a mom you wish yours could have been like, your mom was it. Plenty of memories for this family to cherish, god knows I remember many. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Tim and Ann Tilton says
John, Scott, Tim, Bryan, Mary B, Dan and all,
We’re so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Best,
Tim ann Ann Tilton
Audrey Blomquist Kelly says
Fitzpatrick Family: Thinking of you during this sad time. May the support of family and friends comfort you.
Jenny (Frost) Haldorson says
My sympathies to all of the Fitzpatrick families! Your mom was a fireball and I will miss her spirit and the fact that she kept all of you in line. So blessed to have spent time with her and always enjoyed her energy. Thinking of you all during this time and so sorry for your loss!
Bob Pennington says
Brian, Scott and John,
I am very sorry for your loss.