Lori Ann Fitzgerald

Lori Ann Fitzgerald, 49, was born March 4, 1972 to Kathleen and Thomas Fitzgerald of Great Falls, MT.

She entered the world weighing in at 3 pounds 3 ounces.  By the time she reached her second birthday she was determined to be developmentally delayed and autistic related do to birth injury.

Lori, at age three, was in the first preschool special education class in Great Falls.  She thrived in school and learned so much that the doctors had told us never would happen.  She learned to walk, talk and loved to swim. She had a beautiful smile and a hearty laugh.

She was quite a character around our little “farm”.   She would spend hours watching the chickens; she would throw weeds over the fence and laugh like crazy while the chickens fought over them. She once decided to take a dip in a very dirty horse trough but Mom made a lasting impression by spanking her all the way to the house with a weed pulled up on the way.  Mom felt very bad when she had some bruises on her legs the next morning; but she never dipped in again!!

She had a talent of making an RN turn green too.   The gentleman was caring for her in the ER as she had a very evident fracture of her forearm.  He about came unglued as she kept waving her arm in the air; needless to say he felt much better once the cast was in place.  She pretty much did not want to go on another swing after that.

Lori graduated from the special education program at CMR high school and was so happy to have a cap and gown to show off just like brother, Jason.

When she turned 21 an opening came up through QLC for group home placement.  She was so happy in any of the homes she was placed.   One home was located in the River view area and she spent several years there.  Her favorite thing was getting up in the morning and having a cup of coffee with the ladies who were staff members.  She would chatter with then with a happy smile. We often worried about her until we brought her home for a day, which lasted about 20 minutes.  She wondered all over the house noting anything that caught her eye that was different.  After her tour of the place she turned to us and said “Go home.”   We then knew she was happy where she lived and with all her friends.

Lori suffered the Covid-19 and also suffered many after effects of serious illness.   She passed to be with our LORD at Peace Hospice on June 3, 2021.

Lori is survived by her parents; brother, Jason of Billings; nephew, Brogan; niece, Brinnen; and many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

 She was preceded in death by her grandparents; sister-in-law, Jill Roesler-Fitzgerald; Aunt Maki and Uncle Don.

Thank you with all our hearts to all the people from QLC and Easter Seal Program for all your loving care of our girl.   Special thank you goes to Jeremy Conklin from QLC for staying at her side with mom to the end.   Thank you to the wonderful staff at Peace Hospice for their loving care.  God Bless you all.

Care of Lori was entrusted to Croxford’s Funeral Home for cremation. Grave side service and burial of ashes will occur later in July in Denton, Montana where her mother grew up.

In leu of flowers please make donations in Lori’s name to:

Quality Life Concepts, 215 Smelter Ave NE Suite 1; Great Falls, MT 59404

or

Peace Hospice, 2600 15th Ave South; Great Falls, MT 59405

Graveside services for Lori are set for July 17, 2021 at 1:00pm at the Denton, MT cemetery with Pastor David V Odell officiating.

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