DURHAM, N.H. —Maureen Crighton Fitzhenry passed away peacefully Oct. 13, at Hyder Family Hospice House with her loved ones near.
Maureen was a gifted journalist, a caring social worker, a tireless advocate for those with disabilities, a spirited traveler and a loving wife and mother. She was born and raised in Lynn, graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1962 and graduated from Emmanuel College in 1967. She and John married in June 1967 and started their family after his Vietnam tour ended. They raised their children in Foxboro, Mass., and followed the call of the ocean as retirement neared, moving to Marblehead. They moved to Durham, N.H., in 2009, to be near their grandchildren and to have space for all to gather for occasions and holidays. Maureen’s happiest moments came when she was “Ma” and John was “Gramps” and they had their full family at their home.
Maureen traveled the world, reaching South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, and crossing the Equator multiple times. Family and friends shared many adventures with her, and she made dozens of friends on her journeys.
Loved ones remember Maureen’s open heart for animals. Her dogs always begged successfully at the dinner table, and her “grand”-dogs as well. She is missed by her golden retriever Janie.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, John J. Fitzhenry and their children and grandchildren: son Robert and his wife Michelle Fitzhenry of Durham, N.H. and their children Connor, Sean and Maggie; son David and his wife Jill Fitzhenry of Weston, Mass., and their children Jackson, Nolan and Grey; and daughter Paula Fitzhenry of Durham N.H. Maureen is also survived by loving brother Walter Crighton. Daughter Sharon Rosemary Fitzhenry preceded Maureen in death, as did Maureen’s sister, Ellen Rose Crighton, DVM.
Service information: A memorial Mass will be held Oct. 29, 2016, at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 6 Madbury Rd., Durham, NH. A reception will follow at noon at the Three Chimneys Inn, 17 Newmarket Rd, Durham, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Maureen’s memory to Friends in Action, PO 866, Durham, NH 03824.