Dolores A. Fitzgerald

Dolores Ann Fitzgerald 92, passed away on October 15, 2026. One of five children, Dolores was born to William and Catherine Rosenberger in Albany, New York, where she was a graduate of Cathedral High School--where she courageously walked 3 miles to and 8 miles home in the snow.

She married her beloved husband William T. Fitzgerald Jr. on November 5, 1955 and raised five children in a house outside of Albany. After retiring from the New York State Thruway Authority in 1996, she eventually moved to Alpharetta, Georgia to be with her favorite child, Kelly. There, she spent her golden years in the company of her children and grandchildren, all of whom learned the hard way and knew her by her beloved title “Noney.”

Above all, throughout her life, Dolores treasured time with her family and friends. She cherished parties and conversation, never forgot a birthday, and loved cooking for anyone who had the good fortune of ending up in her kitchen. On any given day, girlfriends could be sitting at her kitchen table while she gave them a home perm. They had so much fun smoking and gossiping, they may not have even noticed that they all ended up looking alike.

Friends and family will remember Dolores for her contagious sense of humor and her larger-than-life personality. She entered a room with a hip sway and a little shoulder shimmy, giving American Bandstand a run for its money. She favored a sassy quip and when asked what was for dinner she would reply “$%?#, now eat it.” While her family ate that dish a lot, having all inherited her trademark sense of humor, they knew it was made with love.

A proud Catholic, Dolores loved the Lord and while striving to be the perfect follower, commoners were relieved to learn she was one of them when she got caught doing 34 in a 25. She devoted herself to her family and often put her struggles aside to help others. She gave regularly to the Church and Catholic charities and never forgot to pray to St. Anthony whenever something was lost. Ultimately, the rosary was her force, and she passed away with it in her hand.

She was an awesome mom, a fun Noney, and was excited to dance through the gates to finally be home.

She was predeceased by her husband, William Thomas Fitzgerald Jr., and her son, Shawn Fitzgerald. She is survived by her four children, William Fitzgerald III (wife Claudia), Timothy Fitzgerald (wife Debbie), Kelly Fitzgerald, and Darrin Fitzgerald; her nine grandchildren, Will (wife Susan), Patrick, Stephen (wife Mac) Jack, Megan, Charlie, Caitlin, Kelsey, and Catherine; her sister, Mary Lou Gattuso.

A Mass of Christian Burila will be celebrated 10:00am Friday, October 23, 2026 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl. Delmar. The Family will receive visitors at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar from 8:30 to 9:30am on Friday before the Mass. Interment will be in calvary cemetery, Glenmont.

We are forever grateful to the wonderful nurses and staff of The Oaks Memory Care Unit and Caritas Hospice who cared for Dolores with such dignity and tenderness. You brought comfort, laughter, and genuine love to her days, and we will always be thankful. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, www.dav.org or St. Jude’s Children Hospital. www.stjude.org.