Clara M Fitzgerald

Clara M. Fitzgerald was a longtime resident of Ephrata, twice! Although she died early Sunday morning, July 31st, at her residence in Spokane, Washington she had lived in Ephrata for two significant blocks of time. Clara was born in Elk Point, Alberta, Canada on September 9, 1925. She was the firstborn child of Uel and Alfield Aarbo Hand. Uel was a farmer and settled his young family in Deer Park, Washington. Four siblings joined Clara over the years and all 5 attended and graduated High School at Deer Park High. The summer following graduation Clara met a young airman, Warren B. Fitzgerald from New York. It was a blind date set up and Warren always joked afterwards that he was blind ever since! Clara married Warren Fitzgerald in the Central Methodist Church in Spokane Washington. They were married for 43 years until his death at the VA Hospital in Spokane 1986. They have two daughters, Annita Fitzgerald Davison, of Spokane, WA, Lita Fitzgerald Greely, of Kennewick, WA and one son, Warren B. Fitzgerald, Jr. of Lakeland Village, WA. Warren separated from the Air Force with an Honorable Discharge in 1951 and moved his family to New York. After 3 years there Warren took a civil service job at Larson AFB and made the move to Ephrata. Clara took a clerical position at the Grant County Courthouse in the Clerk's Office in 1960. She had worked there for 6 years when Warren moved the family to Spokane where he took a Civil Service job at Fairchild AFB. During their time in Spokane Clara worked for a well-respected pediatrician, Dr. Clarence Lyon. But Warren felt a strong pull for the desert. He wanted to return to Ephrata. So in 1973 they returned not only to Ephrata, but also to the same HOUSE they had lived in on Cottage Street! Clara again found work in the courthouse. This time it was the Auditors Office for 12 years, so when she retired in1990 she had a total of 18 years. During the 1960's the family took an interest in Bible study. Contact with sincere Christians who held to the tenants of the Seventh-day Adventist faith lead the family to start attending the Ephrata Seventh-day Adventist Church. Clara and Annita were baptized at that time. Warren and Lita joined later, being baptized in Spokane's Linwood SDA Church. Clara was very active in the church and held several roles: deaconess, greeter, etc., but her most important job was as Treasurer. She held this position for 22 years and in all that time she was "off" only one time and by only one penny! Both Clara and the church auditor spent many, many hours searching for it, until he finally found it! Warren took an interest in the Disabled American Veterans organization. He was pleased with the help they gave him and he wanted to see others helped as well. Warren took an active part in the organization and encouraged Clara to join the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. They actively participated with many projects, but especially enjoyed running the free coffee wagon at the rest stops along the highway. Once she retired, Clara filled her time by taking up home health care. Her last patient was a member of her church very ill with diabetes. When she had fulfilled her duties for him it was time for her to rejoin family in Spokane. By this time her two daughters had had children and they had had children! Clara’s two daughters had married and had given her two grandchildren each. Lita and her husband had a son and a daughter. Annita’s daughters each married and with their husbands both produced two great-grandchildren for Clara to enjoy! We were blessed to have had Clara--wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, co-worker, friend. It was good to have her with us for that time. Now she waits with us for the return of Jesus. "Even so come, Lord Jesus."

Tributes

Clara M Fitzgerald

September 9, 1925 - July 31, 2022