Mary "Noonie" Fitzgibbon

Mary "Noonie" Fitzgibbon, 88, of Iron Mountain, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at the Hyland Nursing Home, where she was a resident for the last eight years. She was born on Nov. 7, 1922, in Bay St. Louis, Miss., daughter of the late John and Olga (Armstrong) Ryan. Mary graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in Bay St. Louis in 1940. On Oct. 4, 1942, she married Robert J. Fitzgibbon in Bay St. Louis. Upon completion of his military service after World War II, they moved to Iron Mountain where they raised their two children. Robert preceded her in death on Sept. 11, 1979. Mary was an active member of St. Mary and St. Joseph Church, and for many years volunteered at the hot lunch program. She loved the children and enjoyed watching them grow up. For more than 20 years, Mary was in charge of calling parishioners to bring up the Eucharistic gifts on Sunday. She loved to sing, dance and always had music playing in the home. Mary always had a full candy dish on the kitchen table for school children that frequently visited her. She had a contagious smile and never met a stranger. Having been born in the south, she was proud of her southern roots and Irish heritage. She was a loving mom and looked at that as her career. Mary will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Two children survive her, Bob (Penny) Fitzgibbon of Spread Eagle, Wis. and Patti (Bob) Belongie of Iron Mountain; six step-grandchildren, Shannon Whaley, Dane (Patricia) Whaley, Mark (Kathy) Belongie, Cynthia (Charlie) Kelley, Diane (Joe) Frustaglio and Cami (C.J.) Back; one brother, John Ryan of Ft Oglethorpe, Ga., one sister-in-law, Verna Plante of Wichita Falls, Texas; and special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, James Ryan. Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Mary and St. Joseph Church. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church. Fr. Daniel Zaloga and Fr. Joseph Gouin will concelebrate the Mass of Christian Burial. Pall bearers will be Tom Plante, John Dulan, Dane Whaley, Mike Belongie, and Duane Ryan. Burial will be in the Channing Cemetery. Condolences to the family of Mary "Noonie" Fitzgibbon can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with arrangements.

Mary "Noonie" Fitzgibbon

November 7, 1922 - January 28, 2011