Pamela D. Fitzgerald, 87, of Lincolnton, N.C., passed away Friday, June 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Pam was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and friend, remembered for her radiant smile and joyful embrace of life. Born in Englewood, N.J., to Joseph and Marian Duffy, she graduated from Elmira College with a degree in sociology and later earned her M.Ed. from William Paterson College.

After eight years as a teacher, Pam began a distinguished career as a human resources director in several banking institutions – a role that perfectly suited her warm, engaging nature. Her professional and personal journey took her to New Jersey, Florida, Delaware and North Carolina, where countless colleagues and friends were touched by her generosity of spirit and exuberance.

Pam’s greatest pride was her family. She was married to her beloved husband, Robert Fitzgerald, until his passing, and she was never happier than when surrounded by her children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as “Grammy.”

A lover of music, singing, laughter, reading, and a good mystery series on Netflix, Pam approached life with enthusiasm. She was a proud American and an active member of the Republican Women’s Club of Delaware. A passionate advocate for literacy, she volunteered as a tutor for adults learning to read and sang with the Sweet Adelines barbershop group. She loved to travel, enjoyed a good cocktail and never met a stranger. Pam simply loved people, and people loved her.

Pam’s faith was central to her life. A devoted Catholic, she served for many years in the Rosary Society and in various church choirs, most recently at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Denver, N.C.

She is survived by her brother, Jack Duffy; her cousin, Mary Lane (Ed); her children, Kenneth Walpole, Laura Walpole and Julia Parkhurst (Jason); her grandchildren, Griffin Parkhurst and Emerson Parkhurst; and her cherished extended Fitzgerald family.

Pam will be remembered most for her luminous presence – she truly lit up every room and was always at home with a microphone in hand or at the heart of the celebration.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 30,  at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes. Interment will follow services at 2 p.m., at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro.

Visit Pam's Life Memorial webpage and sign her online guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.