Theodosia Alice (Gibson) Fitzgerald

On January 5, 1935, in Little Rock, AR, Theodosia Alice Gibson was the first of three children born to Herbert Tuttle Gibson and Alice Cummins Gibson. The family relocated to West Palm Beach, FL, where her sister, Mary Lenore, and her brother, Herbert Cummins Gibson, were born. Theo had an extraordinary ability to observe and remember events almost back to infancy. From a very young age, she was aware of the social injustices around her and was deeply concerned about the feelings of people affected by that. Theo’s childhood during WWII was spent happily among neighborhood friends who stayed in contact the rest of their lives. She had several summers as a camper, junior counselor, and counselor at Camp Illahee in the mountains of North Carolina where she excelled in equestrian and aquatic sports. In that environment, she also found her footing as a leader and teacher. Theo graduated from Graham-Eckes in West Palm Beach where she participated in synchronized swimming and competed on the sailing team. Displaying a keen intellect, she graduated second in her class, missing Valedictorian by a narrow margin. She continued her education at Mount Holyoke where she studied psychology. Once again, she forged friendships with classmates and faculty that would last a lifetime. Theo returned to Florida with her B.A. and began teaching school in West Palm Beach. She was also a leader of youth activities in her church, Bethesda by the Sea, where she met her future husband, Robert E. Fitzgerald. Their daughter, Mary Laura, was born in Florida before Theo’s husband’s job relocated them to CT where their son, Edward Terry was born. While raising her family, Theo tutored children through the public school system and continued her education at night, earning a Master’s Degree and a specialist degree from the University of Hartford. When her children were old enough, Theo started her career as a school psychologist in the town of Newington, CT which lasted for 25 years. Her intellect and sensitivity to people’s feelings made her very good at testing and counseling children in need. Theo’s deeply spiritual nature gave her another avenue for leadership in her church, Trinity Parish, in Wethersfield, CT. She was on the vestry and participated in many outreach programs. She found great enlightenment going through the E.F.M program there. Theo continued to bond with others through book clubs, dog-walking friends, and other lovers of art who launched her into giving a series of lectures on such topics as “Combat Art” and “Freedom Quilts." Quilting also gave her another outlet for her innate creativity. Theo moved to the Chestertown area to spend her retirement near her children. She found her spiritual home among the parishioners of Emmanuel. The joy and enrichment she felt there affected her profoundly. The hallmarks of Theo’s presence on earth would be her desire and ability to seek and foster the best in people that we may all live our lives more joyfully. Theo passed away peacefully at home in the company of her loving family. Theo is survived by her daughter, Mary Laura; her son, Ted, and her daughter-in-law, Larragh. Additionally, she is survived by her sister-in-law, Sally Gibson; a niece, Anne (Matt) Burkholder; a nephew, Herbert (Teresa) Gibson; three great-nieces, Ashley Grace, Megan, Karyn; and a great-nephew, William.

Theodosia Alice (Gibson) Fitzgerald

January 5, 1935 - December 16, 2022