Former Livingston resident Barbara Elizabeth Fitzsimmons died in Madison on Sunday, May 17.
She was born in 1935 in Jersey City to Alvin and Agnes Somers, and graduated from Saint Dominic’s Academy and Caldwell College. After earning two master’s degrees in education from Seton Hall University, Mrs. Fitzsimmons taught at Summit Middle School and later was a professor of English and writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison.
Mrs. Fitzsimmons was the author of a book for St. Philomena’s Church and wrote grants for learning disabled students. She founded Heart Beat, a women’s volunteer group for the Archdiocese of Newark, and received the highest honor at Caldwell University, the Veritas Award, after serving on its board of trustees for many years.
She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, James, in 2015. She is survived by her four children, Mary Lynne, Jimmy, Carol, and Colleen; their spouses and partners, Mark Mullican, Michael Cortese and Mary Donohue; and 11 grandchildren.
A Catholic Mass for Mrs. Fitzsimmons will be scheduled for a later date.
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