Fitzgerald

Marie Marcella (Zapalac) Fitzgerald of Beeville entered eternal rest on Nov. 20, 2021. She was 95 years old.

Marie was born at home in Oakland, on Jan. 15, 1926. Her parents were Joseph and Mary Zapalac. In her younger years she worked as a nurse in Weimar. She married LeeRoy Fitzgerald in Weimar on May 8, 1946. They later settled in McAllen.

Marie and LeeRoy were blessed with four daughters: Doris, Linda, Gail and Dina. She enjoyed reading and fishing. She was active in the McAllen VFW Ladies Auxiliary, serving many positions including president for several terms and head of Operation Christmas and Poppy sales.

LeeRoy passed away on Jan. 11, 1989. In her later years, Marie lived with her daughters in Beeville.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Ervin and Joe Zapalac, daughter Doris Cochran and great great grandson Heath Lane Kopplin-Gisler.

Marie is survived by daughters, Linda Coffey and husband David, Gail Sample and husband John, and Dina Berry and husband Richard, all of Beeville; and sister, Josie Janca of Edna.

She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and their spouses: Lisa (Lonnie), Bruce (Julia), Steve (Lisa), Laura (Tyler), David Jr., Jeff (Kelly), Joe (Misty), Lynn (Stephen), Janessa (Andy), Dusty (Loni), Jennifer (Tim) and Christopher; 27 great grandchildren: Josh, Sydney, Liam, Audrey, Uriah, Julianna, Davis, Heather (Cody), Brittany (Dalton), Lonnie Jr. (Jeff), Myles (Emily), Dalton (Stormie), Amanda (Garrett), David III, Granvell Dylan, Ethan, Wyatt, Joel (Anahi), Charlie, Dylan, John, Sam, Jack, Eabha, Delaney, Emma and Christion; and seven great great grandchildren: Kimora, Gabby, Ethan, Walker, Everleigh, Gavin and Jamie.

Funeral services will take place Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beeville. A viewing will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. with a Rosary to follow from 11 to 11:30 a.m. and Mass at 11:30 a.m. Marie will be buried next to her husband LeeRoy at Roselawn Cemetery and Mausoleum in McAllen on Monday, Nov. 29.

Her grandsons Bruce Cochran, Steve Cochran, Lloyd David Coffey Jr, Jeff Cochran, Joe Sample, Dustin Berry and Christopher Berry will serve as pallbearers.

Family and friends will gather for fellowship and memories at VFW Post 9170 in Beeville from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.