Devoted Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother Virginia Joyce (Murray) (formerly Swanson) Fitzwater, March 11, 1929 - October 17, 2018.
Born in Melrose, Massachusetts to Helen (Walker) and Edward Murray, Ginny lived between Massachusetts and West Virginia for much of her life.
A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Ginny shared her passions with her family, passing them down to multiple generations. An avid reader, crafter, gardener and shopper, Ginny especially loved to spend time at the beach by the ocean with her family. She also loved animals, often having a house full of pets, especially her precious Maine Coon cat, Yankee, who was her constant companion for more than 20 years.
A devoted Christian, Ginny infused a love of the Lord throughout her family. She was the true matriarch of the family and provided words of wisdom to all of her loved ones, even sharing marital advice with one of her grandsons and his fiancé prior to their wedding, just days before she passed. She was incredibly proud of each and every member of her family.
Ginny constantly proved that age is just a number and personified the Abraham Lincoln saying, “It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Ginny encouraged many to be strong and independent - to love, but to also be able to take care of yourself and not be completely dependent on others.
Ginny, who was married to the late Gary Fitzwater, is survived by her three daughters, Sharon Kantzer and her husband Mark, Kristen Schuknecht and her husband Bob, and Robin Dias and Tom Deeb; her grandchildren Steven Tull and wife Kelli, Amy Atwood and husband Cory Stephens, Peter Hamilton and wife Ally, Carrie Foster and husband Mark, Jake Kantzer and wife Megan, Nathaniel Schuknecht, Benjamin Schuknecht and wife Jessica, Justin Dias and Brittany Desmarais, Seth Dias and Brittany McRae, Isabel Deeb, Tom Deeb and Derick, and Rick Deeb and wife Kim; and 14 great-grandchildren. Ginny also was beloved friend of the late Ed Files, and is also survived by her extended family, including the families of Gary Fitzwater and Ed Files.
A private memorial service will be held. Ginny’s family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her memory to Heifer International (https://www.heifer.org/), a charity to end hunger and poverty which she supported.
To send her family a message of condolence, please visit www.nortonmemorial.com