Tributes

Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald (January 2, 1955 - March 21, 2014) Ms. Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald, 59, of Mooresville passed away March 21, 2014 at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Mary was born January 2, 1955 in Fort Lauderdale, FL to Paul and Dorothy Fitzgerald of Port Orange, FL. She is survived by her parents of Port Orange, FL, her brother, Peter Fitzgerald of Ormond Beach, FL and his daughter, Casey Worley of Houston, TX and her brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Lori Fitzgerald of St. Petersburg, FL and their son, Padraic. Mary graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in the class of 1973 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and Minor in Photography at the University of Florida where she graduated with honors. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education at the Florida Atlantic University where she also graduated with honors. Mary began a long career in bookselling in 1981 as an Assistant Store Manager for B. Dalton Booksellers. She progressed through many positions with that company until it was acquired by Barnes & Noble, Inc., where she became Manager of Store Operations for the retail division. She worked in Manhattan with B&N until 1992, when she joined Waldenbooks in Stamford, CT. When Waldenbooks headquarters moved to Ann Arbor, MI in 1995, she made the move with them in the role of Manager, Store Communications. She developed and managed numerous store manager training programs as well as managed communications to over 900 stores. In 1996, she joined Waldenbooks sister company, Borders, Inc. as Manager, Store Communications and later Manager, Store Operations for 250 domestic book, music and cafÃ© superstores. She took her store operations expertise to Borders international division in 1998. Mary traveled the globe, setting up new stores, in the UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. In all of these positions, she interacted with and supported hundreds of stores and thousands of people at all levels of the organization. It is no exaggeration to state that she was a beloved friend of many. In 2010, Mary brought her vast experience and knowledge of store operations, training and communications to Loweâ€™s in Mooresville, NC where she worked in Store Communications as a Senior Specialist. Mary had a deep love of books and music, was the proud owner of two Scottish Fold cats, and possessed a wickedly charming sense of humor. Maryâ€™s life will be commemorated Thursday, March 27, 2014 at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville, NC at 6:30pm. Memorials may be made in Maryâ€™s honor to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation BINCfoundation.org. PDF Printable Version

Tributes

Mary Elizabeth Fitzgerald

March 21, 2014 - March 21, 2014