Bailey, Joan M. Fitzgerald
ALBANY — Joan Marie Fitzgerald Bailey passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at her home in Albany.
Born in Illion, N.Y. in 1925, she was the daughter of Howard Charles Fitzgerald and Florence O’Toole Fitzgerald.
She was predeceased by her brother, James Howard Fitzgerald in 1987; husband, Robert J. Bailey in 1996; her son, Robert F. Bailey in 2001; and her grandson, James R. Wisnewski earlier this week.
She is survived by her children, Lynda (John) Hartman of Croton-on-Hudson, James (Debra) Bailey of Charlotte, N.C., Geraldine (Jorge) Tijmes of Dallas, Texas, Bonnie (Warren) Wisnewski of Averill Park, Debra Bailey of Albany, Nancy Lee (Michael) Gallitelli of Loudonville, and Suzanne (John) Arduini of Guilderland. She will be dearly missed by her 15 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and her many nieces and nephews.
Joan graduated from her beloved Academy of the Holy Names in 1944 and stayed involved with her alma mater throughout her entire life. In 2002, she received the Mother Marie Rose Distinguished Alumna Award from the school. In 2009, she received the Lifetime Achievement award from A.H.N. in recognition of her many contributions. She organized a group of her fellow A.H.N. alumna into an elite cadre called "The Glitterbugs" and planned gatherings, parties, and social activities to keep everyone connected.
Joan worked for the Sisters of the Holy Names at the school for 45 years and was loved by the students, faculty and the administration. Though she officially retired at 88, she continued her service and love for the Sisters well into her 90’s.
Joan’s passion was her unquenchable desire to lift up, guide and support her children, her grandchildren, and her many friends. She was many friends. She was known for her fantastic sense of humor and a party at Joan’s house was sure to be a great time. She enjoyed hosting her family and friends at Jack’s Oyster House in downtown Albany and loved the staff including Brad, Josh and especially Bill.
In her later years, Joan loved traveling to see her children in Texas and North Carolina. She fulfilled a lifelong quest with trips to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky. and to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, Tenn.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Hospice for their loving care.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Joan’s family on Monday, July 11, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen St., Albany. Please enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot entrance only. Funeral services on Tuesday, July 12, at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish of Mater Christi, Albany, where her funeral Mass will be celebrated. To view the Mass please visit YouTube. com/C.ParishofMaterChristi. The Rite of Committal will be held in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands immediately following the Mass.
To leave a message for the family please visit www. McveighFuneralHome.com