Margaret Harris Fitz-Gerald 

January 13, 1932 – November 27, 2025 

Oakland, NJ

Margaret Harris Fitz-Gerald passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, at the age of 93. She was a resident of Oakland, NJ for over 40 years. Her last hours were spent close to home, on the land, with the birds and other animals she so deeply loved and cared for.

Margaret, also known as Margie, was strong and resilient—like the Rock of Gibraltar, as her neighbor friend, Trudy, noted. Trained as a nurse, she brought loving care and dedication to her home and three children, Robert, Barron, and Taryn, whom she raised in Fort Lee, NJ with her husband of 25 yrs, Robert Fitz-Gerald. With Robert, she enjoyed the glamour of NYC theater, opera and night life.

A classic beauty, Margie created beauty all around her, especially in her garden and in her home. In the late ‘70s, she obtained her beautician license and worked as an esthetician, helping women feel beautiful in their own skin. She loved working with her hands to create original clothing for herself and her children. She learned and practiced Chinese and Japanese brush painting, creating elegant bird and flower paintings on porcelain dishware.

She moved to Oakland in the mid-1980s to be with her second partner in life, Ted Proskey. With Ted, she had many adventures, including trips to beloved Rangeley Lake and Mooselookmeguntic, Maine. Together, they shared a passion for crafts and wildlife art. Margie loved going to craft fairs with her friends, Ev and Adele, supporting local artisans, painters and ceramicists, whose work she collected.

Margie held a deep respect and passion for nature; she was a caretaker for the land and for many animals over the years, including cats, dogs, birds, chipmunks, deers, bears, raccoons, and groundhogs. She saw animals as soulful beings, and felt honored to be in their presence.

Margaret is survived by her three children: Robert (and wife Rosa), Barron (and wife Marcy), Taryn (and husband Sergio), as well as her grandson, Ryan. She is also survived by her best friend Evelyn and her helper, friend Jan. Margaret was predeceased by her brother, Barron, her ex-husband Robert and her partner, Ted.

If so called, please consider making a donation in her honor to one of the following organizations:

Sean Casey Animal Rescue https://www.nyanimalrescue.org/

 North Shore Animal League https://www.animalleague.org/

National Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/ 

Wild Bird Fund: https://www.wildbirdfund.org/ 

Lorrimer Sanctuary, NJ Audubon: https://njaudubon.org/centers/lorrimer-sanctuary/

 American Macular Degeneration Foundation: https://www.macular.org/want-to-help/donate

 The Salvation Army https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/