Obituary for Kathleen Marie "Kathy" Fitzsimmons (Curran)
Kathleen Marie Curran Fitzsimmons 6/26/1954 – 12/6/2020
On Sunday, December 6, 2020, Kathleen Curran Fitzsimmons of New Milford, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 66 after battling a brief illness.
Kathy was born on June 26, 1954 to Thomas and Kathryn (Barrett) Curran in Danbury, CT. She grew up in Danbury, and graduated from Immaculate High School in 1972. She attended Southern Connecticut State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in history, graduating in 1976. On September 18, 1976 she married the love of her life, Thomas Fitzsimmons. They had four children, Timothy, who passed away at 23 months, Ryan, Kevin, and Caitlin.
Kathy was known for her gift as a great listener. She always had time to listen – to her husband, her children, and all others. She was always present and engaged in the moment to the needs of those around her, offering comfort and support. She worked on the curating staff at the Danbury History Museum and Historical Society, formerly the Scott Fanton Museum, and as a proofreader for the News Times. Kathy prided herself on her activity in the St. Francis Xavier Church and New Milford Public School communities. She was a member of the St. Francis Women’s Guild, taught CCD, and was a yearly participant in the church’s “Summer Spirit” children’s summer camps. Though she was a “stay at home” mother for the early years of her children’s lives, she rarely stayed home, leaving her mark as a room mother for her three children, a substitute teacher, a PTO member, and always a field trip chaperone – especially museum trips! Kathy then worked at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford for 19 years as an administrative assistant. She was a reliable, constant, and most importantly a friendly face for all staff, parents, and students that walked through the office doors.
For the last 40 years, Kathy was an avid family historian and genealogist. She spent many a late night connecting and understanding the history of her and her husband Tom’s family roots. This inspired effort and dedication led directly to reconnecting with distanced relatives. For this we are forever grateful. This passion for her family spilled over into her daily life as nothing gave her more joy and pride than being with her children, granddaughter, siblings, nieces, nephews and their children.
Kathy was preceded in death by her son Timothy, her mother Kathryn, and her father Thomas. She is survived by her husband of 44 years Thomas, son Ryan and his wife Nicole of Woodbury, Kevin of West Hartford, and Caitlin of East Hartford, her siblings Patricia (James) Ellsworth of Redding, Thomas (Ellen) Curran of Newtown, and Eileen Curran of Danbury, and her beloved granddaughter Erin. She also leaves behind her brothers and sisters in-law Frank and Joan Fitzsimmons of Pensacola, FL, and Anne and David McDonough of Moultonborough, NH. Kathy also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 10:30am in St. Peter Church in Danbury at 104 Main Street. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, attendance to the funeral mass will be limited to 100 persons. Please RSVP if you wish to attend at the Honan Funeral Home website: https://www.honanfh.com/memorials/kathleen-fitzsimmons/4452941/index.php
In lieu of flowers the family requests those who would like to express sympathy to consider making a donation in Kathleen’s name to Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Rd, Danbury, CT 06810. Website: https://regionalhospicect.org/make-a-gift-old/
On Sunday, December 6, 2020, Kathleen Curran Fitzsimmons of New Milford, beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 66 after battling a brief illness.
Kathy was born on June 26, 1954 to Thomas and Kathryn (Barrett) Curran in Danbury, CT. She grew up in Danbury, and graduated from Immaculate High School in 1972. She attended Southern Connecticut State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in history, graduating in 1976. On September 18, 1976 she married the love of her life, Thomas Fitzsimmons. They had four children, Timothy, who passed away at 23 months, Ryan, Kevin, and Caitlin.
Kathy was known for her gift as a great listener. She always had time to listen – to her husband, her children, and all others. She was always present and engaged in the moment to the needs of those around her, offering comfort and support. She worked on the curating staff at the Danbury History Museum and Historical Society, formerly the Scott Fanton Museum, and as a proofreader for the News Times. Kathy prided herself on her activity in the St. Francis Xavier Church and New Milford Public School communities. She was a member of the St. Francis Women’s Guild, taught CCD, and was a yearly participant in the church’s “Summer Spirit” children’s summer camps. Though she was a “stay at home” mother for the early years of her children’s lives, she rarely stayed home, leaving her mark as a room mother for her three children, a substitute teacher, a PTO member, and always a field trip chaperone – especially museum trips! Kathy then worked at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford for 19 years as an administrative assistant. She was a reliable, constant, and most importantly a friendly face for all staff, parents, and students that walked through the office doors.
For the last 40 years, Kathy was an avid family historian and genealogist. She spent many a late night connecting and understanding the history of her and her husband Tom’s family roots. This inspired effort and dedication led directly to reconnecting with distanced relatives. For this we are forever grateful. This passion for her family spilled over into her daily life as nothing gave her more joy and pride than being with her children, granddaughter, siblings, nieces, nephews and their children.
Kathy was preceded in death by her son Timothy, her mother Kathryn, and her father Thomas. She is survived by her husband of 44 years Thomas, son Ryan and his wife Nicole of Woodbury, Kevin of West Hartford, and Caitlin of East Hartford, her siblings Patricia (James) Ellsworth of Redding, Thomas (Ellen) Curran of Newtown, and Eileen Curran of Danbury, and her beloved granddaughter Erin. She also leaves behind her brothers and sisters in-law Frank and Joan Fitzsimmons of Pensacola, FL, and Anne and David McDonough of Moultonborough, NH. Kathy also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 10:30am in St. Peter Church in Danbury at 104 Main Street. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, attendance to the funeral mass will be limited to 100 persons. Please RSVP if you wish to attend at the Honan Funeral Home website: https://www.honanfh.com/memorials/kathleen-fitzsimmons/4452941/index.php
In lieu of flowers the family requests those who would like to express sympathy to consider making a donation in Kathleen’s name to Regional Hospice, 30 Milestone Rd, Danbury, CT 06810. Website: https://regionalhospicect.org/make-a-gift-old/