Maureen FitzHenry Poggi
Maureen FitzHenry Poggi was born on December 7, 1946 and passed away on August 2, 2016. 1946-2016. Maureen heard a poem once about how the dash between the birth and death dates is the most important part as it represents a whole life. Maureen was a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a friend. She was a student, a teacher, an athlete, a sorority sister and later a room mother, a den mother, a girl scout leader, PTA president, T ball/softball coach and member of the School Board. She called Tenafly, NJ, Kirksville, MO, Adams, NY, Honolulu, HI and later Cambridge, MA and Winchester, MA home. She was a secretary and worked with SMA Fathers, Horn & Hardart, the Tug Hill Commission and Safeguard Business Systems. She always said that being a Mom was her calling and she did everything she could to make her “corner of the world” a good one, wherever that may be. She was kind, giving, strong, brave, outgoing and funny. She will be missed.
Maureen is survived by her son Christopher T. Poggi, his wife Ryoko Ono Poggi, their children Kira and Nina, and her daughter Karen M. Poggi, her husband David Cantrell and their daughter Riley. She is predeceased by her husband Roger R. Poggi Jr., her brothers Richard and Donald FitzHenry and her parents Gertrude Loretta (Ryan) FitzHenry and Richard Horton FitzHenry.
There will be a memorial mass in her honor at the Gables of Winchester at 299 Cambridge Street, Winchester, MA 01890 on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice or Maureen’s favorite charity, St. Jude Hospital, and be a good person.
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To Fitz’s children, you have my sincerest sympathy. As one of her sorority sisters her smile always lit up the room. Don’t think I ever saw her without her beautiful smile. Heaven is smiling down on you all. Her legacy of treasured memories will fill your hearts with love forever.
Even though it was many years ago, my memories of Maureen include her smile and positive attitude. Chris and Karen were wonderful reflections of her! Maureen was always willing to help, serving as room mother and even a parent volunteer one year when her own children were no longer in my class. She was a very special lady, one of my all-time favorite parents, and my deepest sympathies go out to Chris, Karen, and their families.
To Fitz’s children. Your Mom was such a fun and inspiring person to be around. She always had a smile and positive attitude. She could be pretty onrey too you know. What great memories we have of her as our sorority sister. You were very blessed!!!
I didn’t meet your mother in person, but through Facebook… pictures and stories were shared, my Dad Dick Fitz-Henry and mother Maria would have met her and spoke fondly.
God bless her and heaven will be welcoming another Fitz-Henry.
Where do I begin! We met in the early 80’s as nursery school moms. We managed to stay in touch even though we lived miles apart. In the past few months we had some great Facebook chats and as recent as 1 month ago a long phone conversation. I’m so glad we were able to talk at length about all the fun times we shared. Karen & Tug ( Chris) I know how much you will miss your mom. Please reach out to me any time to relive some of my memories of your mom and our one and only camping trip! Not sure you or Chris will remember it! You will be in my thoughts all day Saturday. I am sorry we will not be there. Take care and know that you both and your children were her shining stars.
If you have any “Fitz” blood in you–YOU are blessed! Her life was a gift to me-as her ASA sister! Prayers of strength and comfort to family and friends.
Karen-
I am so very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and Chris.
I have no doubt that you have livened up the folks in heaven, have renewed your life with family and friends beyond the pearly gates and are assuming your new guardian angel duties in which you will excel. You were an awesome sorority sister and friend, and luckily, I have so many memories of fun times that will last until we meet again. I know your family is heartbroken, but I pray your eternal spirit will comfort them. RIP, my dear friend, Fitz, I love you!
I feel so lucky to have had a few interactions with Maureen during her later years. She was one of those rare, unique individuals who had such a calming, warming presence. Literally making eye contact with Maureen put me at ease. She was kind and so welcoming.
To all of her loved ones, my thoughts are with you. It was so apparent that she was so, so, so loved by her immediate family and returned that love back with interest. 🙂
Love, Love, Love to her spirit and to you all. Chad
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m lucky to have known a loving and caring women. Thinking of you and Chris.
To Chris and Karen
Your mother was a dear lady and friend. We had so much fun in college living in the same dorm and being Alpha sisters. My husband Dwight is from Cresskill NJ and went to Tenafly high school. That was another connection we always talked about. Fitz will be greatly missed but never out of our hearts. You and your families will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Fitz is legend with the 60’s Alphas–what a wonderful sister! She was loved so much! I agree with Debbie–when I think of her I think of that ever-present smile! Glad I got the chance to share some of her life with her!
Fitz was a household name since I was born. She was the dear friend of my mom, Pat (Hamilton) White. While I remember many fun visits throughout the years, I feel like I got to know Fitz much better in my adult years… meeting up with her and Roger in Hawaii during several trips. Fitz had a way about her that made me immediately relax in her presence. She was so fun-loving and just so fun to be around. We will miss her very much.
Condolence to you at this sad time, prayers and blessings rip x
Not only was she kind, giving, strong, brave, outgoing and funny, she was incredibly thoughtful, generous, welcoming and caring. While she and her brothers were all eternally filled with humor and endlessly upbeat, her inviting spirit will be sorely missed. I am so fortunate to be part of this family and when my son’s show these FitzHenry traits, my smile inside is bigger than even all the laughs that she and her siblings gave me.
When you see her kids you know she was most successful at the thing she knew was most important. Her legacy lives on. God bless you guys. I am so sorry she could not stay with us longer!
Dear Karen and Chris….I have so many memories of your mom growing up! From Girl Scouts to tennis matches! She was always welcoming and loving! She will be missed! I’m so very sorry for your loss!
I was very sorry to hear of your Mam’s passing, I meet her many years ago when I was very young, when she came to Dublin she visited my Dad and Mam, Dick and Maria, i remember we were all very excited to see our American cousin. May she rest in peace and you are in my thoughts prayers X.
I can close my eyes and think of so many amazing things this woman did for me growing up. Chris and Kare I love you guys and my heart breaks for you. I am honored to have had your mom in my life. She will always have a huge spot in my heart.
Karen & Chris, Do you remember when your mom took us to NYC?!?! What a woman! It was my first time there and I was so clueless!!! I have so often thought of that trip, how awesome it was of your mother to take us, and how generous it was of your uncle to host us. I will never forget that intro to NYC. I think it enabled me to return there so many times and really appreciate NYC for what it is. All thanks to your mom and her incredible optimism. She was always so positive. I bet she was a GREAT grandmother. My heart goes out to the whole family at this sad, sad time. ????
I was so sorry to learn of your mom’s passing. She was a great person, always so upbeat and looking for a good time. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you, Karen and Chris (Tug) and with your families.
Chris & Karen, My thoughts are with you. So sad to hear. I honestly can’t think of a school memory where she wasn’t a part of it. Always there with that smile.
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. In a very short period of time, Maureen became a dear friend to our mother at the Gables and we are so grateful for the love and kindness that she showed our Mom and all residents, staff and visitors to the Gables. We consider ourselves fortunate and blessed to have crossed paths with Maureen and we will forever keep her in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen and Chris, your mom was a blessing. She was a younger sorority sister, but her friendship through the years has meant so much.
She taught us all how to live, love life and treat each other with kindness.
We will miss her.
Keeping you and your families in my prayers.
Karen and Chris, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a wonderful person, she treated Kellie like one of her own. I will always hold a place in my heart for her. Your mom is smiling down from heaven on you and your brother and her beautiful grandchildren. My thoughts and prayers are with you all
Chris & Karen,
So sorry to hear about your mom.
I have such fond memories of both your parents.Your mother’s warming smile and great sense of humor; your dad’s amazing attitude and quick wit.
Remember the times at the Wigwam? It’s not the same-boo-hoo!
I hope you both are doing well and remember all the wonderful things about your fantastic mom!
Fitz was a vibrant friend and sorority sister who had the unique gift of making people happy just by walking into a room with her wonderful smile. We were blessed to have been part of her life as Alphas, and we are thankful that her children had such a kind, loving mother and grandmother to their kids. I’m sure Fitz has heaven laughing and having a good time. She will be missed, but what great stories and memories we have of our times with her. Blessings, prayers and hugs to all who knew and loved Maureen FitzHenry Poggi.
Had a great reunion with your Mom the last time she came to the South Jeff area. Your parents were great neighbors, always smiling & joking around. They are together now watching over you & your families.
I wish I had the words to describe what a great friend Maureen was. She was simply the best and will be greatly missed.