Frances Ann Fitzgerald

Frances Ann Fitzgerald, Fran to her friends, passed away peacefully at Elkhart General Hospital on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Born on November 6, 1938, to Edward and Mabel Fitzgerald, Fran grew up in Mulberry, Indiana, graduated high school there, and later obtained her Master’s in Education from Purdue University.

Fran loved teaching, traveling, shopping, spending time with friends, and the arts. Early in her career, she combined all of her loves by traveling overseas to teach American dependents on the army base in Wurburg, Germany. When she returned to the states, she became a reading specialist for Elkhart Schools eventually becoming the principal at Beardsley Elementary School.

Even in retirement, Fran continued to live an active and vibrant life, volunteering often for the school district, serving on multiple committees, and acting as the current president of the Four Arts Club.

Fran is survived by her nephew Michael (Renee) Kilpatrick and his children, Matthew and Faith Kilpatrick. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her sister Katheryn Kilpatrick. Fran touched the lives of many as both teacher and friend and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5:00 pm- 8:00pm at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514. The rosary will be prayed at 6 pm. The Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 am on Friday, September 5, 2025, at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 1108 South Main Street, Elkhart, IN 46516 where visitation will occur one hour before mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Elkhart Education Foundation; 2746 Old US 20 W, Suite B; Elkhart, IN 46514.Online condolences may be made to Fran’s family at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com