Laura E. (Wharton) Fitzgerald

Apr. 12, 1957 - Jan. 30, 2016

SOUTH BEND - A bright light that no longer graces the Earth will illuminate the heavens forever. Laura Elizabeth Fitzgerald, age 58, died peacefully in her home with her loving Life Partner, Jim Myers, at her side. Laurie was born in Toledo, OH on April 12, 1957 and spent the formative years of her life in various states with her parents, G. Thomas Wharton and Jane L. (Wharton) Hyde. While in Omaha, NE she fell in love with horses, and was an accomplished competitor in both Show Jumping and Dressage.

Her family eventually settled in South Bend, where she attended John Adams High School before enrolling at Alma College and later at Michigan State University. The next years of her life were spent in California, Hawaii, Georgia and Florida. It was in Florida that she met and married Robert W. Fitzgerald, who preceded her in death.

At age 50, she felt she had much more to accomplish in life, so she enrolled at Holy Cross College to earn a degree in Education. Even though she battled MS and eventually breast cancer from a wheel chair, Laurie (and her service dog Bella) did graduate in 2011, and she was inducted as a Founding Member of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society at HCC.

She is survived by her loving mother, Jane; her brother, Geoff Wharton, his wife, Patti (Kosanovich), and their triplet sons, Michael, Geoff and Thomas; and a cousin, Peter Dundas.

Laurie chose to be cremated, and her ashes will be spread in the waters of the Florida Keys, where she will be warm and surrounded by the dolphins whose company she so enjoyed. We cannot thank The Center for Hospice Care enough for all they did in Laurie's last months to keep her comfortable, and to allow her to complete her life with dignity. Contributions in the name of Laurie may be made to The Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka IN 46545. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. Welsheimer Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting with arrangements. Family and friends are encouraged to leave condolences at www.welsheimer.com.