Obituary of Rita Claire Desmond Fitzsimmons

Rita Claire Desmond Fitzsimmons, 81, of Freehold Township passed away on Friday, January 27, 2023 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. She was born in Elizabeth. Rita was a graduate of Holy Rosary Academy, Union City and Marywood University, Scranton, Pennsylvania. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold. Rita was a past president of the St. Rose of Lima School P.T.A. and served for many years as an administrative assistant in the school office. She was an avid college football and basketball fan, especially of the University of Notre Dame, St. Bonaventure University, and La Salle University. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Deacon John J. Fitzsimmons in 2016, a son, Daniel Stephen Fitzsimmons in 1988, and a brother, Paul Desmond in 2020. Surviving are five sons and daughters-in-law, John and Donna, Kevin and Claire, Michael and Ricki, Brian and Kathryn, and Neal and Pamela Fitzsimmons; and 13 grandchildren, Katie, Molly, Patrick, Jack, Kelly, Mary, Megan, Declan, Caroline, Elise, Lauren, Ryan, and Abigail. Also surviving are her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Robert Vargo; and sister-in-law, Loretta Desmond. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold on Friday at 10:30 a.m. followed by interment at the parish cemetery. Memorial donations to Muscular Dystrophy Association (www.mda.org) or De La Salle Nursing Development, 810 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738 would be appreciated.