Jewel Fitzgibbon

Jewel (Dydoson) Fitzgibbon died peacefully at Landmark Hospital in Columbia, Missouri. Her daughter and son in law were with her.  A memorial service will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. There will be food and visiting opportunities in the multi purpose room following the ceremony.  She was born in Fall River, MA on April 12, 1925, the daughter of William and Mary Dydoson. She survived her husband, William, of 68 years of marriage. She was employed as an executive secretary at the Retarded Children’s Association and the Friends of the Retarded, both of Fitchburg, MA. She was also employed by Dr. Werner Backman, Dr. Thomas Davin, and Dr. Michael Pelletier of Fitchburg, MA as a dental assistant and office secretary. The role she most enjoyed and treasured was that of parent, grandparent, great grandparent, and homemaker. She was an active member of Sacred Heart Church. She also enjoyed memberships in Columbia Newcomers and the Red Hat Chicks.

She is survived by her daughter Mary Jill Evans and her husband, Michael, of Columbia, granddaughters, Heather Evans of Washington, DC, Michelle Evans Schwartze (Aaron) of Peoria, Illinois, Christi Evans Kasmann (Joseph) of Columbia, MO, great-grandchildren, Emma Jewel and Keegan Michael Schwartze of Peoria,IL. She also leaves a sister, Carlene Whitehead of Jaffrey, NH, a brother, Don P. Swift and wife Carolyn of Tyler, TX, sister-in-law, Helen Fitzgibbon of Clinton Township, MI, a cousin, Naomi Michalak of Boston, MA, several nieces and nephews, several great nieces and nephews, all very dear to her heart.

She was predeceased by her husband, William, an infant daughter, Donna, her mother, Mary E. Swift, her father, William Dydoson and a devoted Step-father, Carlton Swift.

Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Visits: 3

Condolences

  1. Karen on January 27, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    love and prayers to Jill, Mike and her family. Many great memories of the Lunenburg days with our parents playing cards at the kitchen table.



  2. Kathy Maynard on January 28, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    I’ve known your mom for years as we were in the Newcomers Club and lived in the same neighborhood. She was always a friendly and happy lady. Sorry to hear of her passing.

    Kathy



  3. Judy on January 30, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    I am one of the nurses who took care of Jewel at Landmark Hospital. Last week she and I had a remarkable conversation. She shared with me how much love and joy she had in her life. How grateful she felt. And how she was ready for whatever lies in the great beyond. Rarely have I met someone as brave and at peace as she was. I recognized the vase of flowers left at the hospital as hers. I had remarked to her how beautiful they were. I kept a rose. I will preserve it with two I have from my mother’s memorial. It will always remind me of someone I truly admired.
    My condolences to her family and friends. She really was a “Jewel.”



  4. Judy Buswell Halligan on February 3, 2015 at 7:39 am

    Hello Jill, you may not remember me. We lived up the street on west st in Lunenburg. You used to leave may baskets for me and my brother Billy.. Very sorry to read about your mom. Have often wondered where you all lived. Im still in town and brothet in leominster. Always remember how pretty your mom was. And very kind. Again. My sincere condolences



  5. Jane Bonnallie Starr on February 3, 2015 at 10:03 am

    So very sorry to hear of your loss. I remember your mom very fondly from the days you lived on West Street, a beautiful, warm lady who always had a smile on her face. Thoughts are with you all.



  6. Luci Dinsdale on February 3, 2015 at 10:52 am

    I was Bill’s hospice nurse shortly before he passed and became very fond of him and Jewel. I recently was delighted to have the opportunity to be Jewel’s nurse during her illness while at Boone, unfortunate as it was. Her and I chatted quite a bit that night and she remembered me and was so thankful to have me as her nurse. Bill and Jewel found a special place in my heart. It’s very rare that I find that connection with my patients. I’m very sorry to hear that she has passed, but I know she is happy to be with Bill once again.



  7. Lila Hilgeford on February 13, 2015 at 11:30 am

    I was so sorry to miss Jewel’s service during our recent stay in Florida. In describing my Red Hat and Newcomer friend I said, “Jewel was a Lady — with a capital L”. She and Bill were among the first folks we met when we moved to Columbia and we admired both of them so much! My favorite memory of her will be from our luncheon just last Christmas when she told us about enjoying playing games with her family – even online. She was so feisty and upbeat — a good example for all!



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